Duke Energy has been selected to receive up to $50 million in federal funding to upgrade portions of its power grid in western North Carolina and South Carolina as the utility works to keep pace with growing electricity demand.
The US Department of Energy (DOE) announced the selection on Sept. 24 as part of a broader federal effort to increase transmission capacity and improve grid reliability. In North Carolina, the proposed project would include transmission improvements in Henderson and Polk counties.
The federal award is not yet final. Duke Energy must complete negotiations with the DOE before receiving the funding, with final awards under the program expected between October 2026 and January 2027…