BEL Helps Mississippi Utilities Advance $13.8 Million in Grid Modernization Grants

BEL, through technical assistance supported by the Appalachian Regional Commission and a contract with the Mississippi Development Authority, helped 12 Mississippi electric utilities advance to the next stage of consideration for approximately $13.8 million in electric grid modernization grants. The U.S. Department of Energy awarded Mississippi $17,965,540 to fund activities designed to modernize the electric grid and reduce impacts due to extreme weather and natural disasters. These funds will be used to ensure the reliability of the utility sector infrastructure so that communities have access to affordable, reliable, clean electricity.

The selected projects represent a diverse group of utilities, including eight municipal electric systems, three electric cooperatives, and one investor-owned utility. Proposed investments include advanced SCADA and smart grid technologies, transmission and substation upgrades, feeder modernization, grid sectionalization, automated outage management, and reliability improvements designed to reduce outages and improve restoration times. Together, these projects will strengthen electric infrastructure, enhance resilience, and support economic development in communities across Mississippi.

BEL is proud to support utilities as they pursue innovative investments that improve reliability, affordability, and long-term grid performance for the customers they serve. See more about the projects we are supporting at: Beneficial Electrification Impact – American Electric Infrastructure.