Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- RUS-PART-2026
- Agency
-
Rural Utilities Services
Washington Office, Department of Agriculture
- Applications due
- Award size
- $1,000,000 to $100,000,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Not on record
- Category
-
- Energy
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), a USDA Rural Development agency, is soliciting Letters of Interest for loan applications under the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program, with LOI submissions due October 9, 2026, at 11:59 a.m. Eastern Time. Approximately $410 million in appropriated budget authority is available, translating to roughly $1.1 billion in total loan capacity, with all funds required to disburse by September 30, 2031.
Eligible applicants include for-profit organizations, state or local governments, Indian tribes (as defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994), Alaska Native Corporations (regional or village corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act), nonprofits, distribution electric cooperatives, generation and transmission electric cooperatives, and certificated electric utilities. The program finances power generation projects using eligible renewable energy resources—hydro, geothermal, or biomass—and energy storage systems charged by eligible renewable sources.
For Project Loans, RUS will finance up to 75 percent of total capitalized costs; applicants must provide at least 25 percent equity, though the Administrator may waive this requirement for projects serving Substantially Underserved Trust Areas (SUTA). System Loans for operating utilities secured by perfected senior liens on all assets have no equity requirement and may finance up to 100 percent of project costs. Individual awards range from $1 million to $100 million maximum; combined PACE and PART awards per entity cannot exceed $100 million. Loan forgiveness of up to 40 percent is available upon meeting award conditions and demonstrating ratepayer benefits. Loans carry interest at municipal rates per Section 317(c) of the Rural Electrification Act with terms not exceeding 35 years.
Projects must serve service areas with at least 50 percent rural population (unless waived), utilize commercially available technology, and have executed Power Purchase Agreements with off-takers. RUS will review LOIs on a rolling basis in order received. Selected applicants receive an Invitation to Proceed and have 60 calendar days to submit complete applications. CFDA 10.757. Award announcements are anticipated September 2026 through December 2027.
Synopsis
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS or the Agency), a Rural Development (RD) Agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for loan Applications, announcing the Application process for those loans, and providing deadlines for Applications from eligible entities under the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program. These loan funds will be made to qualified PART Applicants to finance power generation Projects for Renewable Energy Resource (RER) systems or Energy Storage Systems (ESS) that support RER Projects. The PART Program is making approximately $410 million in appropriated budget authority (BA) funding available under the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA). RUS will process and evaluate complete LOI on a rolling basis in the order they are received.
The PART Program is to be carried out by the RUS pursuant to Section 22001 of the IRA. Section 22001 of the IRA amends Section 9003 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 by adding new subsection (h). Section 22001 of the IRA provides RUS with appropriated funds "for the cost of loans under Section 317 of the RE Act." Additionally, Section 22001 of the IRA provides that PART funds may be utilized to finance Projects that store electricity generated from eligible energy sources listed under Section 317 of the RE Act. These Project Loans or System Loans will be forgiven up to forty percent (40%), provided the Awardee and the Project otherwise meet the terms and conditions of the loan forgiveness. Approximately $410 million in budget authority is being made available under this Notice. The Administrator reserves the right to increase this funding level should additional funds become available or reduce funding in the event an insufficient number of high-quality projects are submitted for consideration.
Cost Sharing or Matching:
(a) Project Loans. Awards will finance up to 75% of the total capitalized costs of a Project. Awardees will be required to provide at least 25% of the Project's total capitalized cost in the form of cash or equity investments, which may not be derived from debt instruments. However, the Agency may utilize its authority under Section 306F of the RE Act and finance up to 100% of the costs of the Projects benefiting SUTA areas.
(b) System Loans. PART System Loans may cover up to 100% of the total costs of the Project.
Eligibility
RUS will accept LOIs and Applications from Operating Utilities as the followings: (a) For-profit organizations.(b) State or local governments. (c) Indian Tribes defined by the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (Public Law 103-454; 108 Stat. 4791, 4792), including their wholly arms and instrumentalities. (d) Alaska Native Corporations, including regional or village corporations as defined under or established pursuant to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (Public Law 104-42; 85 Stat. 688)(e) Nonprofits. (f) Distribution electric cooperatives and generation and transmission electric cooperatives. (g) Certificated electric utilities
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| PKG00294139.pdf | ||
| PART_Form_SF_424_Questions-FINAL.pdf | ||
| Letter_of_Interest_PART_Submission_-_FINAL.pdf | ||
| PART_2026_NOFO_v2.pdf | ||
| PART_LOI_Guide.pdf |
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