Grain Belt Express to proceed without loan
Despite losing a $4.9 B federal loan, Invenergy says the Grain Belt Express will proceed with private funding as America's largest renewable power corridor.
Image credit: Vanja Štimac
USA, Kansas, Topeka: The Grain Belt Express transmission project will move forward, despite the US Department of Energy’s recent decision to withdraw a $4.9 B loan guarantee. Developer Invenergy confirmed that construction plans remain unchanged and will proceed with private financing.
The project is set to deliver 5 GW of wind and solar energy from Kansas to Indiana across nearly 1300 km (800 mi). It has been heralded as America’s largest power pipeline. Although the DOE deemed federal support unnecessary, Invenergy maintains the project is both viable and essential to grid resilience and consumer savings.
The move follows political pressure from critics such as Sen. Josh Hawley and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who oppose the use of eminent domain. However, Invenergy asserts that the project has already received all major state approvals, including the one from the Missouri Public Service Commission.
In a previous report from July, DOE said it found the project’s financial requirements unlikely to be met under its loan conditions, but acknowledged it could proceed privately.
Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with full operation by 2030, delivering clean power to millions and supporting a domestic manufacturing revival.
Source: kshb.com
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