Maine Offshore Wind Roadmap
In February 2023, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) published the Maine Offshore Wind Roadmap (Roadmap). The Roadmap is a comprehensive development plan for offshore wind in Maine. Building upon the state’s record of planning, research and development, and innovation, the Roadmap was an 18-month, stakeholder-led initiative facilitated by GEO and supported by a $2.166 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
The objective of the Roadmap was to identify ways to foster a responsible offshore wind industry that works for Maine’s people, economy, and heritage. Key topics covered by the Roadmap include energy markets, ports and infrastructure, socioeconomic impacts, equity, manufacturing and supply chains, workforce development, and ocean and environmental compatibility. The Roadmap offers a path forward for offshore wind in Maine that embraces the opportunity while ensuring compatibility with Maine’s coastal heritage and minimal impacts to fisheries and the environment. All information pertaining to the Roadmap can be accessed here.
Maine’s Offshore Wind Energy Procurement Law
One of the five objectives outlined in the Roadmap is to harness abundant offshore wind energy to reduce long-term energy costs, reduce reliance on fossil fuels, and fight climate change. In July 2023, Governor Mills signed "An Act Regarding the Procurement of Offshore Wind Energy Resources” (L.D. 1895, P.L. 2023 Chapter 481) into law, which authorizes GEO to lead the procurement process of at least 3,000 MW of offshore wind installed by 2040.
L.D. 1895 established the Maine Offshore Wind Renewable Energy and Economic Development Program, which will further the development of responsible offshore wind projects in the Gulf of Maine in a way that helps the State meet its greenhouse gas reduction obligations, stabilize energy prices, benefit Maine’s economy and families, and minimize and compensate for any impacts to wildlife, habitat, fisheries, and coastal communities. The 3,000 MW procurement authorization was established through a data-driven process, including the Wind Energy Needs Assessment, a technical study conducted as part of the Roadmap process, and the ongoing Maine Energy Plan: Pathway to 2040. L.D. 1895 also allows for critical port development, creating opportunities for all Maine workers and businesses in the emerging industry, and protecting critical lobster fishing areas from offshore wind development.
The Maine Offshore Wind Renewable Energy and Economic Development Program will also seek to facilitate collaboration among states on transmission and procurement efforts, sharing of lessons learned, and effective coordination to build a broader supply chain that will support the growing industry on both coasts.
Maine’s Upcoming Commercial Offshore Wind First Solicitation
With the enactment of L.D. 1895, the Maine Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) is statutorily responsible for establishing procurements for at least 3,000 MW of floating offshore wind to be installed in the Gulf of Maine by 2040. GEO will coordinate with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and other state agencies as appropriate on the development of an offshore wind solicitation that calls for proposals from offshore wind developers and delivers offshore wind energy for Maine. The solicitation will include important plans related to stakeholder engagement, fisheries protection, environmental considerations, and economic development.
As outlined in L.D. 1895, GEO will develop the first offshore wind solicitation in consultation with other state agencies, Tribes, and stakeholders and file it with the PUC for review no later than July 1, 2025. The PUC will review the solicitation and the first request for proposals (RFP) by January 15, 2026. The process will include multiple opportunities for public comment. Following this first solicitation, there will be future solicitations up to 3 gigawatts installed by 2040.
The PUC will work with GEO and other state agencies to review submitted proposals and ensure that any selected projects result in contracts that are cost-effective for electric ratepayers, taking into consideration potential economic, environmental, and other benefits to ratepayers along with furthering the goals of the Maine Offshore Wind Renewable Energy and Economic Development Program.
Initial Solicitation Process and Anticipated Timeline
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Early/Mid 2024: GEO will launch the public process for the first solicitation, including issuing Request for Information (RFI) to solicit input from stakeholders to inform the solicitation framework and contents.
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2024: Based on feedback from the RFI, GEO will finalize a framework for developing the first Solicitation and opportunities for public input.
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Early 2025: Based on public feedback and consultation with state agencies and Tribes, GEO will publish a draft Request for Proposals (RFP) and solicit another round of public comments.
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Mid 2025: After those public comments are addressed, GEO will file the proposed RFP with the Maine Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for final review.
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2026: Once the PUC has reviewed and approved the draft RFP, the PUC will issue the RFP and review submissions in accordance with LD 1895.
Contact
To stay informed, sign up to receive email updates on Maine’s offshore wind progress here. Please reach out to Stephanie Watson, Maine Offshore Wind Program Manager, for more information: Stephanie.watson@maine.gov, 207-620-4379