Seattle, WA – In a significant move to bolster power resilience in the Pacific Northwest, Jacobs has been selected by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) to provide engineering, project management, and strategic advisory services for the Grand Coulee Modernization Program. The program is a major infrastructure upgrade focused on ensuring the reliability and longevity of the largest power-generating dam in the United States.
The Grand Coulee Dam currently transmits over 21 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity each year to customers across nine U.S. states and parts of Canada, making it a cornerstone of the region’s energy grid. The modernization program will include substation upgrades, transmission pathway optimization, and new energy infrastructure strategies to support future demands, including power-hungry AI data centers and clean energy integration.
“Jacobs is proud to support BPA in delivering resilient and efficient power to millions,” said Fiachra Ó Cléirigh, Executive VP at Jacobs. “Our deep infrastructure experience positions us to accelerate modernization efforts while meeting the evolving needs of the energy sector.”
Strengthening the Backbone of the Northwest Grid
Jacobs will serve as the Owner’s Consultant, providing critical oversight and expertise on:
- Substation infrastructure modernization
- Transmission optimization
- Strategic project scoping
- Operational efficiency upgrades
These efforts are vital to helping BPA maintain load balancing, especially as demand from industrial, residential, and digital sectors increases.
“With over 7,000 megawatts of generation capacity, Grand Coulee must be ready to respond to rapid shifts in grid demand,” said Kevin Wingert, BPA spokesperson. “Modernizing the switchyards will make ramping generation up or down safer and faster.”
A Continued Partnership with Purpose
This project expands Jacobs’ established role with BPA, building on previous programs like the Ross Complex Redevelopment and the Facilities Portfolio Delivery Program—initiatives that focus on enhancing BPA’s power delivery systems across multiple states.
The Grand Coulee Program was recently transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation to BPA to enable faster and more cost-effective modernization—underscoring BPA’s long-term commitment to infrastructure transformation.
National Leadership in T&D Solutions
Jacobs’ selection reinforces its growing leadership in transmission and distribution (T&D) services across the U.S. It also complements its role as Program Manager and Owner’s Engineer for Xcel Energy, and reflects its standing as the No. 1 Program Management Firm of 2024 by Engineering News-Record.
“This collaboration demonstrates how Jacobs is delivering on its mission to reinvent tomorrow,” added Ó Cléirigh. “We’re proud to help strengthen one of the nation’s most vital energy assets.”
As energy demand surges and grid modernization becomes critical to national security and economic resilience, the Grand Coulee project represents a model of innovation, sustainability, and strategic foresight.
For more, visit jacobs.com.
