Maine Solicits Proposals for Long-Term Renewable Energy Contracts

The Maine Public Utilities Commission issued a request for proposals from renewable generation resources for the sale of energy or renewable energy credits, according to a Feb. 14 news release. The move stems from legislation enacted in 2019 directing the commission to conduct two competitive solicitations for long-term procurement contracts for an amount of energy equal to 14 percent of the state’s retail sales. That law strengthened the state’s renewable portfolio standard to 100 percent by 2050.

Of that 14 percent, the law directs the commission to acquire 7 to 10 percent through contracts approved by the end of 2020 and the remainder through a solicitation process to be initiated by Jan. 15, 2021. Selected projects will enter into 20-year contracts with one or both of Maine’s investor-owned transmission and distribution utilities – Central Maine Power Company and Emera Maine.

Initial proposals are due by April 10.