Notice of Intent for Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028: The Maryland Energy Administration is pleased to announce the intent to launch Megawatts for Maryland by Autumn 2026 and offer the program for 2 fiscal year cycles. The program’s purpose is to award grants to offset a portion of the project costs associated with the development and construction of large-scale renewable energy generation and energy storage projects. MEA will solicit closed bids from project developers to award grants in a cost-effective manner and promote renewable energy and energy storage in the State of Maryland.
The Program was established by the Maryland General Assembly’s passage of the Utility RELIEF Act of 2026, is codified in §9–20E–01 et seq. of the State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, and allocates up to $200 million for 2 fiscal years.
Request for Information (RFI): The Maryland Energy Administration issued an RFI on May 12, 2026 to seek preliminary feedback by June 17, 2026 from project developers, contractors, financial investors, utilities, local governments, landowners, community organizations, Maryland residents, and other stakeholders to inform the program parameters and process. MEA encourages additional stakeholders to connect or sign up for the program email list by contacting [email protected].
Office Hours: MEA will host weekly office hours from 11am - 12pm EST on the following Mondays in September and October:
- September 21, 2026
- September 28, 2026
- October 5, 2026
- October 12, 2026
- October 19, 2026
- October 26, 2026
To attend the office hours please register using the link below:
Anticipated Budget: Up to $100 million for Fiscal Year 2027. (An additional $100 million is anticipated for Fiscal Year 2028.)
Type of Grant Program: Competitive Auction (closed bids)
This auction program will be offered statewide on a competitive basis for eligible applications through a two-step process:
- Stage 1: The applicant submits a preliminary application. The applicant awaits feedback from MEA. MEA notifies the applicant if eligible to proceed to Stage 2.
- Stage 2: If the application is approved by MEA in Stage 1, the applicant is eligible to submit a final bid price and additional supporting documentation in Stage 2.
Eligible Bidders: Renewable energy and energy storage project developers:
- Eligible entity types are: Businesses and Limited Liability Companies (LLC).
- The applicant must be the entity that will execute the MEA grant agreement and be designated as the grant funding recipient (A parent company may assist with application materials and communicate with MEA but cannot sign and submit the application).
Eligible Activities: The purpose is to award grants to offset a portion of the project costs associated with the development and construction of:
- Tier 1 renewable energy generation (that does not participate in net energy metering)
- Energy storage:
Co-located with Tier 1 renewable energy sources that do not participate in net energy metering;
Co-located with Tier 1 renewable energy sources that participate in net energy metering; or
Stand-alone (not co-located with a Tier 1 renewable energy source).
Tier 1 Renewable Energy Sources: click
here for the list of “Tier 1 renewable sources”, as defined by §7–701 of the Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.
Selection of Grant Recipients: MEA may reject bids that do not meet specific eligibility requirements. MEA will award grants to eligible bidders requesting the lowest price per megawatt hour from the auction.
Funding Opportunity Announcement Issue Date: October 26, 2026
Application Deadline:
Stage 1: November 30, 2026
Stage 2: January 22, 2026
Anticipated Notification of Grant Award or Non-Award: Spring 2027
Online Application Portal Status: Closed to New Applications
Program Documents: Funding Opportunity Announcement Coming Soon
