New US DOE Funding Opportunity To Strengthen Microgrids in Remote & Industrial Regions

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Electricity, through the National Laboratory of the Rockies (NLR), has announced a new funding opportunity aimed at enhancing microgrid systems in remote and industrial regions across the United States. This initiative, part of the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP), offers up to $2.5 million in direct project funding alongside $1 million in technical assistance. The programme targets energy providers, local governments, and community organisations seeking to develop or improve microgrids that deliver reliable, affordable, and resilient electricity in isolated areas with high energy costs and limited grid reliability. This second round of C-MAP funding focuses particularly on projects that support industrial development, including large energy consumers such as critical mineral operations and enterprise-scale computing centres. By strengthening microgrid infrastructure, the initiative aims to ensure that industrial, commercial, public safety, and national security facilities in remote regions have access to dependable energy systems necessary for their operation and growth. Additionally, projects are encouraged to develop replicable microgrid models and standardised approaches that can be adopted by other communities and industries facing similar challenges. Selected applicants will receive between $200,000 and $575,000 in funding, along with up to two years of technical and administrative support from DOE national laboratories and partners. The solicitation covers five key areas, including regional microgrid coordination, integration with large energy consumers, microgrid development and transformation, and assessment for industrial-scale energy users. Eligible applicants include nonprofit entities, energy cooperatives, state and local governments, federally recognised American Indian and Alaska Native tribes, and U.S. businesses, with a focus on communities with populations under 10,000 and high electricity prices. Murali Baggu, NLR’s Laboratory Program Manager for Grid Integration, emphasised the critical role of C-MAP in supporting regions with some of the highest electricity costs and lowest reliability. He highlighted how the partnership’s tailored technical assistance helps communities and high-demand industries implement microgrid solutions that maintain essential services and ensure year-round operations. This initiative not only addresses immediate energy challenges but also advances DOE-supported research towards commercialisation of next-generation microgrid technologies. The application deadline is set for 2 July 2026, with an informational webinar scheduled for 26 May 2026. Beyond funding, C-MAP offers a range of free resources, including on-demand technical assistance and an extensive online library of tools and case studies through the Community Microgrid Innovation Exchange (C-MIX). These resources aim to support stakeholders at every stage of microgrid planning and deployment, reinforcing the partnership’s commitment to strengthening energy resilience in under-resourced and industrially significant remote communities.