Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program

The Rural Utilities Service (RUS) is soliciting Letters of Interest (LOI) for the Powering Affordable Reliable Technology (PART) Energy Program, a loan‑funded initiative that will provide up to $410 million in financing for renewable energy generation (RER) and energy storage (ESS) projects in rural areas. Eligible entities—including for‑profit utilities, state/local governments, Indian tribes, Alaska Native corporations, nonprofits, electric cooperatives, and certificated utilities—may request Project Loans (covering up to 75 % of capital costs, with a 25 % cash/equity match) or System Loans (up to 100 % of costs). Loans may be forgiven up to 40 % if certain conditions are met. The LOI window runs from September 8 2026 to October 9 2026, after which RUS will evaluate submissions on a rolling basis. Applicants must submit a completed SF‑424 on Grants.gov, include detailed financial, technical, and geospatial information, and demonstrate how the project will deliver affordable clean energy to underserved rural residents. • Funding pool: $410 M (approx. 100 awards, each up to $100 M, minimum $1 M). • Eligible applicants: utilities, governments, tribes, Alaska Native corporations, nonprofits, cooperatives. • Loan types: Project Loans (≤75 % of costs, 25 % match) or System Loans (≤100 % of costs). • Forgiveness: up to 40 % of loan amount if loan‑forgiveness criteria are satisfied. • Application: LOI via Grants.gov, include SF‑424, financial statements, technical description, and shapefile of service area. • Deadline: LOI submission by 11:59 a.m. ET on 9 Oct 2026. • Evaluation: rolling review; no explicit award date.