MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF NORTHERN MAINE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RFP

MAINE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF NORTHERN MAINE RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM RFP

Projects expected to provide approximately $400 million of net benefits to Maine ratepayers

August 25, 2026

Hallowell, Maine - The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) today announced the results of its request for proposals (RFP) under Docket No. 2026-00033, issued pursuant to the Northern Maine Renewable Energy Development Program.

Following review of the proposals received, the Commission has identified its preferred transmission project and selected an 800-MW generation project with which to enter contract negotiations.

For the transmission portion of the project, the Commission found the proposal of Avangrid Networks, Inc. for a 1,200 MW line terminating at Haynseville to be the best, noting that it utilizes existing transmission corridors to the maximum practical extent, and the developer has secured nearly all rights of way for the project. It also demonstrated the strongest viability within a commercially reasonable timeframe.

For the generation portion of the project, the 800 MW onshore wind project proposed by Clearway Energy Group LLC received an award for both energy and RECs, contingent on the transmission portion moving forward. Maine's share of the project will be approximately 600 MW. Clearway was determined to be the most cost-effective project that will provide the maximum benefit for Maine ratepayers. This selection leaves 400 MW of capacity available on the transmission line, and the Commission will issue additional RFPs to maximize the utilization of the transmission line.

The procurement is a multi-state effort, with Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Rhode Island participating alongside Maine to efficiently integrate northern Maine resources into the broader regional grid, while coordinating cost allocation, interconnection standards, and project oversight. This collaboration is aimed at maximizing benefits for Maine ratepayers. The states will share in the costs of the transmission line, with Maine responsible for less than 11% of the cost of the line.

"This procurement reflects months of careful work to identify projects that will bring reliable, renewable energy to the grid, providing value to Maine and the region, while minimizing costs for Maine ratepayers by sharing costs with other states commensurate with the value provided," said Maine PUC Chair Philip L. Bartlett II. These transmission and generation projects will bring substantial economic benefits to the state, creating thousands of full-time jobs during construction and $2.4 billion in economic output.

This project has demonstrated that separate sovereign governments can work together to plan for and procure significant transmission and generation investments, and most surprisingly, to agree on how to share the costs and benefits of those investments, said Commissioner Patrick Scully. Ive not seen anything like this in the US, and I think this effort deserves national attention and provides a model for other regions to work collaboratively to meet common energy, climate and reliability goals.

The selection of these bids is the culmination of a tremendous amount of work and collaboration across our region, said Commissioner Carrie Gilbert. It is not easy to coordinate with five states who have different procurement processes and legislative schedules. Chair Bartlett and our regional team here at the PUC deserve an enormous amount of credit. Maine ratepayers are significantly better off for this effort.

Over the life of the project, Maine is estimated to realize at least $387 - $425 million in net benefits that will be reflected in ratepayer bills. In addition, the project is expected to create more than 2500 full-time jobs in Maine while under construction over a four-year period. The project is expected to generate approximately $150 million in new municipal and state tax revenue and is projected to create more than $2.4 billion in total economic output for the State of Maine.

Next steps in the process include finalizing the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Clearway for Maines portion of the output (600 MW) of new generation and the Commissions final review and approval of that contract for new generation. Because the transmission component of the project will be subject to approval by the Federal Energy Regulatory Committee (FERC), the Commission recommended that the New England States Committee on Electricity (the recognized regional state committee by FERC) work with the Coordinating States and Avangrid to finalize a Voluntary Agreement (VA), which will then be submitted to FERC for approval.

Additional information including filings and orders, is available on the Commissions website at https://mpuc-cms.maine.gov/CQM.Public.WebUI/Common/CaseMaster.aspx?CaseNumber=2026-00033

About the Commission

The Maine Public Utilities Commission regulates electric, telephone, water and gas utilities to ensure that Maine citizens have access to safe and reliable utility service at rates that are just and reasonable for all ratepayers while minimizing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. Commission programs include Maine 911 Service and gas safety programs. Philip L. Bartlett, II serves as Chair, Patrick Scully and Carolyn Gilbert serve as Commissioners.

Learn more about the Commission at www.maine.gov/mpuc

CONTACT: Susan Faloon, Media Liaison CELL: 207-557-3704 EMAIL: [email protected]