Alaska Energy Authority opens Round 19 renewable energy grants; deadline September 11

Rural communities and tribal entities across Alaska that generate power from diesel have until September 11 to apply for state grants under Round 19 of the Renewable Energy Fund, the primary state mechanism for cutting diesel dependence in off-road communities. The Alaska Energy Authority opened the application window July 13 at 8 a.m.; the deadline is September 11 at 4 p.m., with materials available on the agency's website.

More than 220 communities off the road system order fuel by barge each year, and those fuel contracts are priced before delivery. A community that installs wind, solar, or hydropower reduces how much diesel it burns and how exposed it is to price swings on the next barge schedule.

The fund is competitive and heavily oversubscribed, meaning many eligible rural projects will not receive awards even if they apply. In a recent cycle, the legislature funded three of roughly 28 eligible projects, according to prior coverage of the Alaska House Energy Committee.

The Alaska State Legislature allocated $9.3 million to the fund in the fiscal year 2027 capital budget, reaching the top nine projects on the program's ranked list, Senator Bert Stedman said in May 2026 budget remarks. Round 18 carried $5.3 million.