The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) has officially launched Megawatts for Maryland, a multi-phase competitive auction program aimed at expanding in-state renewable generation and energy storage capacity while putting downward pressure on regional electricity rates.
Backed by up to $100 million for Fiscal Year 2027, with an additional $100 million anticipated for FY 2028, the initiative draws funding from the state’s Strategic Energy Investment Fund. The program targets grid-scale deployment to tackle climbing electricity demand and regional transmission cost pressures.
The launch comes as state leadership works to expand a mid-Atlantic solar and storage footprint that currently stands at 3,440 MWdc of installed solar capacity across 119,137 individual installations, representing $7.7 billion in total investment and generating 8.77% of Maryland’s electricity.
While solar currently powers over 408,000 homes, the state’s battery storage capacity remains modest at just 35 MWh, underscoring the need for near-term grid-scale storage incentives. With a robust local footprint of 200 solar companies including 17 manufacturers and 100 installers and developers supporting nearly 5,000 jobs, current market forecasts project Maryland will add 2,637 MW of solar capacity over the next five years.
The initiative utilizes a strict two-stage competitive bidding process designed to weed out speculative proposals and back projects capable of reaching commercial operation. Developers must establish baseline eligibility by November 30, 2026, through a preliminary application where MEA will evaluate initial project parameters, real estate control, and interconnection standing.
Applicants cleared in this first stage must then submit their final bid price per megawatt-hour alongside comprehensive financial models and documentation by January 22, 2027. MEA anticipates issuing grant decisions in Spring 2027, with selected projects required to achieve commercial operation within seven years of funding allocation.
MEA is casting a wide net for asset classes, opening eligibility to Tier 1 renewable energy generation projects not participating in net energy metering, energy storage systems encompassing standalone battery energy storage systems as well as systems co-located with net-metered or non-net-metered Tier 1 renewables, and hybrid assets coupling generation and storage directly. Rather than relying on fixed incentives, MEA will award grants to eligible developers requesting the lowest price per megawatt-hour through the closed-bid auction format.
Renewable energy and energy storage projects are the quickest, cleanest, lowest cost option to develop local energy supply, according to MEA Director Kelly Speakes-Backman. Developers can review the complete Funding Opportunity Announcement, financial model templates, and submit proposals through the online My MEA portal.
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