The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is now accepting the measure grant applications from public entities that can demonstrate how new technologies can be deployed to develop a reliable modern electricity grid.
The grant funding comes from the Community Benefits Fund that the state Legislature established during its 2025 term. The Legislature appropriated $70 million from the Community Benefit Fund to the Grid Modernization Program, administered by the Energy Conservation and Management Division (ECAM) of the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD).
“This infusion of the Grid Modernization Grant Fund is a game changer for New Mexico’s ability to find innovative ways to strengthen our electric grid and build long-term resiliency for our communities,” said ECAM Director Rebecca “Puck” Stair. “At the exact moment the federal government is withdrawing subsidies for projects designed to improve energy infrastructure, New Mexico is leaning in with record state funding for grid mod.”
Grid modernization projects are expected to improve electricity distribution or transmission infrastructure to enable the integration of renewable electricity sources, or otherwise make the grid more efficient, reliable, secure and better able to respond to expected growth in energy demand.
ECAM seeks to award grant funds to three types of projects:
- Projects involving the construction, installation, operation and verification of functioning modern network technology at a project site.
- Projects consisting of pre-construction or design activities that would ultimately result in the construction and installation of fully functional modern network technology.
- Original research projects that advance the state’s understanding and appreciation of network function, reliability, resilience, security and operation related to the integration of renewable and carbon-free resources, including the impact on customer behavior, operation and maintenance costs or the value of specific network technologies.
Under the law, eligible applicants include municipalities and provincial governments; government agencies; public schools; state universities and other post-secondary education institutions; and Native American nations, tribes, and pueblos. All projects must take place in New Mexico.
Questions regarding this financing opportunity should be submitted in writing with “GRID MOD NOFO” in the subject heading to Chadette Pfaff.
Applications will be accepted and reviewed monthly beginning November 1, 2025, until all available funds have been awarded.
News release from New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources
