U.S. DOE Announces $150 Million for Alaska’s Beluga-Healy Transmission Project

On October 5, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy announced its intent to provide up to $150 million in Defense Production Act funding for the Alaska Energy Authority's Beluga-Healy Transmission Project, designed to strengthen electrical transmission between Southcentral and Interior Alaska.

Currently, the Railbelt network is served by a single transmission corridor, which limits the system's capacity to withstand outages and disruptions. The proposed project would add a second 223-mile high-voltage transmission line, enhancing reliability and resilience for approximately 75% of Alaska's population, including seven military installations.

Additionally, the second line would lower electricity costs for households and businesses, facilitate the integration of regional grids into the Railbelt network, and support the development of new generation resources. The project would also enable Alaska to accommodate anticipated growth in demand associated with planned military, infrastructure, and resource development projects.

The Beluga-Healy Transmission Project will complement the Cook Inlet PowerLink, a separate Alaska Energy Authority initiative currently in development to improve transmission between the Kenai Peninsula and Anchorage.