Electric Grid Modernization Grant Program

The Grid Modernization Program, established by the Grid Modernization Roadmap Act of 2020 (NMSA § 71-11-1) and pursuant to 17.9.588 NMAC, is intended to improve the electric distribution and transmission infrastructure to make it more flexible and responsive to modern energy resources and demands.  By providing grants to energy customers, e.g., local governments, education institutions and tribal governments, the program supports projects that enhance electricity reliability and affordability, among other objectives, while facilitating the integration of renewable electricity generation resources.  

Grid modernization projects are those that make “improvements to electric distribution or transmission infrastructure to accommodate or facilitate the integration of renewable electric generation resources with the electric distribution grid or otherwise enhance electric distribution or transmission grid reliability, grid security, demand response capability, customer service or energy efficiency or conservation.” Some potential projects are described on slide 10 of the presentation below.

Grid Modernization 101.pdf

Grid Modernization Grants
The Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECAM) is actively accepting and reviewing applications for the Grid Modernization Program through the Notice of Funding Opportunity that was released September 2025. Municipalities and county governments, state agencies, state universities, public schools, post-secondary education institutions, and Indian nations, tribes and pueblos are all eligible to apply. All projects must take place within New Mexico.

In 2025, the Community Benefit Fund was established to support projects for purposes that include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increasing electricity from renewable energy resources, and increasing grid capacity. The State Legislature allocated $70 million from this fund to the grid modernization grant fund for the purpose of administering and supporting projects through the Grid Modernization Grant Program.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis on the first of the month starting November 1, 2025, until all the available funds are allocated.

Projects should fit within one of three types. Type 1 projects are original research projects that advance the state’s understanding and appreciation of grid function, reliability, resilience, security and operation as it relates to the integration of renewable and zero-carbon resources, including impacts on customer behavior, operations and maintenance costs or the value of specific grid technologies. Type 2 projects consist of pre-construction or design activities to support grid modernization construction/installation projects. Type 3 projects involve construction, installation, operation and verification of a grid modernization technology at a project site. ECAM intends to reserve ninety percent of the available funds for Type 3 projects and five percent each to Type 1 and Type 2 projects.

Technical Assistance for Eligible Entities

Eligible entities and their prospective partners are encouraged to review the worksheet and sample project case studies below. These materials are designed to inform eligible entities about the grid modernization program and provide guidance on how to match local objectives with effective grid upgrades, using real-world examples.  ECAM is also happy to facilitate workshops for eligible entities upon request.

Grid Mod Program Summary and Worksheet.pdf
BRAIN Case Study.pdf
Microgrid Case Study.pdf
Virtual Power Plant Case Study.pdf

How to Apply

The NOFO and all related material can be found at:  https://www.emnrd.nm.gov/ecmd/about-us/requests-for-proposals-applications/

Questions and requests for presentations about the grant program may be directed to chadette.pfaff@emnrd.nm.gov.

Grid Resilience Funding

In addition to the Grid Modernization Grant Program, ECAM also administers the Preventing Outages While Enhancing Grid Resilience (POWER) program. POWER is funded through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021. New Mexico has over $20 million dollars to spend on specific grid resilience measures including reconductoring, pole replacement, vegetation management and other measures that mitigate the impacts of climate change, extreme weather, wildfire and other natural hazards.

Information for the POWER Program’s current solicitation can be found at:  

Active Procurements | NM GSD 
Procurement ID: 60-52100-25-06166 
Deadline: January 23, 2026

Please consult the reference guide below for deciding which program to apply to. Please note: all proposals received by the Grid Modernization Grant Program that fit the POWER scope of work will be referred to the POWER solicitation and denied grid modernization funding at this time.