Maine Renewable Energy Consortium

Maine Renewable Awarded $1,000,000 Grant from Efficiency Maine Trust for Development of Combined Heat and Power Facility Maine Renewable Energy Consortium (Maine Renewable), a Maine-based renewable energy and bio-energy development company, is the recipient of one of 16 grants awarded by the Maine Public Utility Commission’s (PUC) Efficiency Maine Trust program for industrial projects designed to save energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and employ Maine workers. The Maine Renewable award of $1 million was part of a total of $8.9 million distributed by the PUC through a competitive proposal process. The Industrial Grant Program funds come from a combination of two sources: the Federal Recovery Act and the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative funds distributed by the Energy and Carbon Savings Trust. Commission Chair Sharon Reishus noted, “Maine’s industrial sector presents great opportunities for energy savings, emissions reductions and economic stimulus. We are pleased to support projects that show exceptional promise in meeting these objectives.”


The Maine Renewable combined cooling, heat and power facility (C-CHP) will be located at 50 Duck Pond Road in South Portland and will serve as the anchor of an eco-park that supports current and future industrial clients. The facility will generate green energy (electricity and thermal energy) fueled with non-competitive woody biomass through a gasification process that increases efficiencies, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and lowers costs compared to traditional merchant or non-C-CHP models. The facility is expected to generate 12-14 megawatts of renewable energy. Self-Gen Inc. of Scarborough Maine is the lead energy engineer on the project. Self-Gen is an energy consulting firm that is pioneering energy-ecoparks utilizing the tri-generation energy model. Paul Aubrey, President of Self-Gen indicates “we have worked with many bio-energy companies over the years and Maine Renewable is among the most focused on their mission. This project will be at the leading edge of a renewable energy model that will help Maine reach its goal of energy independence while reducing greenhouse gases.”

At full-build out the project will represent an estimated $40 to $50 million investment, the majority of which will be funded through private equity and supplemented with local, state, and federal support making the project a true public-private partnership.

The project is estimated to help create and retain in excess of 700 jobs in Maine over the next five years which includes jobs to support design and construction, operation and management, supply and logistics, and jobs retained by the eco-park energy clients. At full operation the facility is expected to employ 8-12 full-time operators and technicians on site all with wages in excess of the state average wage.

Erik Carson, Director of Economic Development for the City of South Portland has been working with Maine Renewable for the past year to facilitate review by the City. Carson states “City officials are excited about this project as it fits with the City’s goal of becoming a leading municipality in the northeast with regard to green initiatives and energy-based economic development. While the project still needs to go through formal municipal review and permitting, having recently seen the excellent example of this technology at Middlebury College in Vermont, I believe this will be a significant asset for the community.” According to Carson
“the Maine Renewable project represents substantial private investment and jobs for the City”.

With the State grant, the Maine Renewable project is on the fast track for development with closing of financing and the start of final detailed design is anticipated over the next several months with local permitting and eventual and construction to begin by the close of 2010.

About Maine Renewable Energy Consortium
Maine Renewable Energy Consortium, LLC (Maine Renewable) is a Maine based company
focused on enhanced value energy products and development that maximize the potential of Maine bio-mass while protecting the environment and creating “Green Tech” employment opportunities for generations to come. www.energyinmaine.com.