The procurement advances Maine’s goal of deploying 400MW of energy storage by 2030. 400MW represents approximately 20% of Maine’s peak demand in 2021. The goal is large relative to the state’s demand.

DOER created the solicitation through a public process that included releasing a draft RFP for public comment. State law requires DOER to select only energy storage projects that lower electricity costs for Maine ratepayers.

DOER will also evaluate local economic and workforce benefits, environmental impacts, and safety factors. The proposal now moves into the statutory PUC review process, where the commission has up to 120 days to assess whether the solicitation complies with state law before DOER can officially issue the RFP.

In late December 2024, the Maine Legislature directed the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) to submit a recommendation to procure up to 200MW of energy storage, to the commission, to advance the state’s 400MW goal.

In May 2025, the PUC issued an open inquiry and request for comment to support the 200MW procurement of transmission-level energy storage projects.

In November 2025, Developer-operator Plus Power secured US$160 million in tax equity investments from Morgan Stanley for two BESS projects, including one in Maine.

US$65 million was invested in the Cross Town BESS facility in Gorham, Maine. With a capacity of 175MW/350MWh, it would be the largest battery in the ISO-New England region.

In February 2026, Plus Power brought Cross Town online. Plus Power noted at the time that Maine’s leadership in BESS policies prompted the company to invest in Gorham and develop Cross Town.

Earlier this year, Governor Mills vetoed a bill that would have imposed a statewide moratorium on data centres. Similar bills have been proposed in at least 15 states, with New York so far being the first to succeed, when Governor Kathy Hochul imposed a one-year moratorium on data centre development earlier this month.

Meanwhile, on 15 July in Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer launched the Michigan Affordable and Responsible Growth Action Plan, which asks data centre developers to pledge that their facilities will not cause electricity rate increases, environmental harms, operate transparently and create jobs for local people.

Celina Cunningham, acting commissioner of the Maine DOER said of the 360MW procurement plan:

“The Maine Energy Plan calls for more energy storage to help us make better use of the electricity already being generated, reduce strain on the grid during periods of peak demand, and strengthen reliability. We appreciate the thoughtful input received during the public comment process and look forward to working with the Commission as it reviews the proposal.” 

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