Annapolis, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced that the Maryland Energy Administration took the first step toward launching the “Megawatts for Maryland” clean energy auction program and has released a Request for Information seeking stakeholder input. Governor Moore and leaders in the Maryland General Assembly worked together to create the new program, which will speed-up the deployment of large-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects and cut long-term costs for Marylanders.
“To meet the rising demand for energy in our state, we need everyone at the table,” said Gov. Moore. “This Request for Information is an open invitation to innovators and developers to partner with us. Together, we will speed up the deployment of renewable energy we need to create a more affordable energy future for all Marylanders.”
“Megawatts for Maryland” is the clean energy auction program established by lawmakers’ passage of the landmark Utility RELIEF Act, which Governor Moore signed into law last week. The program leverages $100 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, which is handled by the Maryland Energy Administration, to establish an annual bidding process for local clean energy projects. The program will award grants to project developers to offset a portion of costs associated with the development and construction of large-scale renewable energy generation and energy storage projects.
The Maryland Energy Administration’s Request for Information seeks preliminary input from project developers, contractors, financial investors, utilities, local governments, landowners, community organizations, Maryland residents, and other stakeholders to inform the program’s parameters and process. Final program parameters and application instructions will be included in the upcoming Funding Opportunity Announcement, to be issued in Fall 2026.
“Governor Moore and the General Assembly are taking a new approach to incentivizing large-scale solar generation and energy storage projects, and stakeholders will play an important role in giving shape to how this program operates,” said Maryland Energy Administration Director Kelly Speakes-Backman. “Maryland’s leaders are sending a strong signal to clean energy developers that the state sees them as partners in achieving its affordability, reliability and climate goals, and this RFI speaks to that commitment.”
The Maryland Energy Administration promotes clean, affordable, reliable energy and energy-related greenhouse gas emission reductions to benefit Marylanders in a just and equitable manner. The launch of “Megawatts for Maryland” is a key priority in the Moore-Miller administration’s mission to meet the rising demand for energy and protect the pocket-books of Maryland families. The agency’s receipt of preliminary input from all interested parties to help shape the program is an important step in delivering real results for Marylanders today and for generations to come.
