Historic Announcement: CenterPoint Energy Selected to Receive $50 Million U.S. Department of Energy Grant to Strengthen & Modernize Greater Houston's Electric Grid

Construction and installation are expected to create more than 500 local jobs.

Rhea-AI Summary

CenterPoint Energy (CNP) was selected on September 24, 2026, for a $50 million U.S. Department of Energy award for Houston grid upgrades.

The award remains subject to final negotiations with the department and is intended to fund substation upgrades through its SPARK program. CenterPoint plans to install Siemens Energy technology designed to stabilize the transmission grid and respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand. The project is expected to improve reliability and increase capacity in Greater Houston, where CenterPoint serves 2.9 million customers.

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Federal award will make CenterPoint one of the first U.S. utilities to deploy industry-leading substation technology to enhance resiliency, reliability and respond to increases in energy demand.

HOUSTON, Sept. 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and Assistant Secretary for the DOE's Office of Electricity Katie Jereza announced the selection of CenterPoint Energy for a $50 million award to support advanced substation technology upgrades. Following finalization of negotiations with DOE, this award will help fund and support CenterPoint Energy's ongoing efforts to strengthen electric reliability and resiliency and increase energy capacity for one of the fastest growing regions in Texas and the nation.

"Our mission is to build the most resilient coastal grid in the nation for the 2.9 million customers we proudly serve in the Greater Houston area, and we're grateful to the DOE for this vital investment in both Houston's and Texas's energy infrastructure. This selection is historic for our region, and it will directly fund industry-leading technology improvements that are expected to strengthen resiliency, reliability and meet the growing energy needs of our region," said Jason Ryan, CenterPoint Energy's Executive Vice President, Regulatory Services & Government Affairs.

Historic Energy Infrastructure Investment: Critical Substation Improvements
With the DOE project, CenterPoint Energy will become one of the first utilities in the nation to install Siemens Energy's industry-leading, transmission grid stabilizing technology, which can respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand and help maintain reliable service for local customers. The key expected benefits from this advanced technology project include:

• Strengthening resiliency and reliability during periods of high demand;
• Increasing capacity to meet current and future demand and economic growth;
• Expected to create more than 500 local jobs to support project construction and installation.

The funding will prove critical to the region's energy future and was selected through DOE's Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) program. The SPARK Program supports projects that modernize existing electrical infrastructure and help ensure our nation's utilities reliably meet growing energy demand and lower electricity costs for approximately 100 million Americans.

"Through the SPARK program, we are investing in vital projects across the country that expand energy grid capacity, strengthen reliability and resiliency, and support the economic development of communities. The Department of Energy is proud to support forward-looking infrastructure improvements that will help power growth and dependable energy for the Houston area," said Katie Jereza, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Electricity.

"Generations of CenterPoint customers and families in the region will benefit from the advanced technology this grant is funding," said Commissioner Kathleen Jackson, Public Utility Commissioner of Texas. "And anytime companies make improvements like this to their systems, the long-term impact is making the entire grid stronger for Texans."

To learn more about CenterPoint Energy's resiliency and reliability improvements across Greater Houston, please visit CenterPointEnergy.com/Progress.

About CenterPoint Energy, Inc.
As the only investor owned electric and gas utility based in Texas, CenterPoint Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CNP) is an energy delivery company with electric transmission and distribution, power generation and natural gas distribution operations that serve more than 7 million metered customers in Indiana, Minnesota and Texas. As of June 30, 2026, the company owned approximately $48.3 billion in assets. With approximately 8,800 employees, CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. For more information, visit CenterPointEnergy.com.

Forward-Looking Statement
This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Any statements in this news release regarding future events, such as the implementation of advanced substation technology upgrades and the benefits therefrom (including jobs creation), the reliability and resiliency of the electric grid, and any other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Each forward-looking statement contained in this news release speaks only as of the date of this release. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by the provided forward-looking information include risks and uncertainties relating to: (1) business strategies and strategic initiatives involving CenterPoint Energy or its industry; (2) CenterPoint Energy's ability to fund and invest planned capital, and the timely recovery of its investments; (3) financial market and general economic conditions; (4) the timing and impact of future regulatory, legislative and political actions or developments; and (5) other factors, risks and uncertainties discussed in CenterPoint Energy's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and CenterPoint's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2026 and June 30, 2026 and other reports CenterPoint Energy or its subsidiaries may file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For more information, contact:
Communications
media.relations@centerpointenergy.com

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SOURCE CenterPoint Energy

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

Has CenterPoint Energy finalized the $50 million DOE award for Houston grid upgrades?

No. CenterPoint Energy has been selected for the $50 million award, but it remains subject to final negotiations with the U.S. Department of Energy.

What technology does CenterPoint Energy plan to install for the Houston grid project?

CenterPoint Energy plans to install Siemens Energy substation technology designed to stabilize the transmission grid and respond rapidly to changes in electricity demand.

How many jobs are expected from CenterPoint Energy's Houston grid project?

Project construction and installation are expected to create more than 500 local jobs.