Maryland is taking new steps to expand its renewable energy capacity with the launch of Megawatts for Maryland, a $200 million funding program designed to support new clean energy generation and energy storage projects across the state.
Announced by Governor Wes Moore on October 26, the initiative aims to increase in-state electricity generation, address growing energy demand, and help reduce electricity costs for Maryland residents and businesses.The program was established through Maryland's Utility RELIEF Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.
Expanding Maryland's Clean Energy Capacity Administered by the Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), Megawatts for Maryland will provide competitive grants to developers of renewable energy generation and energy storage projects.The two-year initiative will draw up to $100 million annually from the state's Strategic Energy Investment Fund to help offset development and construction costs associated with eligible projects. According to the MEA, the program aims to support the addition of hundreds of megawatts of clean energy capacity, potentially generating enough electricity to serve more than 150,000 Maryland homes annually. The initiative comes as Maryland and the broader regional electricity market face increasing energy demand and rising electricity costs. Expanding locally generated power is one approach the state is pursuing to help address these challenges.
How the Program Works Megawatts for Maryland will use a competitive, two-stage application process to select eligible projects for funding.During the first stage, developers must submit preliminary applications demonstrating their eligibility to participate. Applicants who qualify will then advance to a second stage, where they submit competitive funding bids and additional project documentation. The application deadlines are:
- November 30, 2026: Initial eligibility applications
- January 22, 2027: Competitive bids from eligible applicants
The program is intended to help close financing gaps for renewable energy projects, particularly as changes to federal clean energy tax incentives affect project development and investment decisions.
Implications for Solar and Energy Storage Development For solar and energy storage developers, the initiative introduces a significant new source of financial support for projects across Maryland. With up to $200 million in funding available over two years, the program aims to bring hundreds of megawatts of additional renewable energy capacity online, generating enough electricity to power more than 150,000 Maryland homes annually.
Although the exact number of projects receiving funding will depend on the competitive bidding process, the initiative could support multiple large-scale solar, wind, and energy storage developments throughout the state. Projects will be evaluated based on their ability to deliver additional electricity generation at competitive costs, with selected developers required to bring their projects online within seven years of receiving funding. Development costs, financing conditions, and interconnection requirements can significantly influence whether renewable energy projects move forward. By helping offset construction and development expenses, Maryland's investment could accelerate projects that might otherwise face financial barriers.
The program represents a substantial investment in Maryland's renewable energy market, with the potential to expand in-state generation capacity, support new infrastructure development, and address growing electricity demand.
Source: Maryland Energy Administration — Governor Moore Launches Program to Increase Energy Generation, Lower Electricity Costs (October 26, 2026).