Massachusetts to Procure Significant Energy Storage Capacity

Massachusetts has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to solicit bids for long-term contracts for up to 1500 MW of energy storage projects.

Energy storage is a key tool in reducing our reliance on carbon-emitting generation by storing energy from intermittent renewable generation resources like solar and wind and discharging that energy during periods of peak demand.

This RFP is the first of several rounds of so-called “Section 83E” procurements under An Act Promoting a Clean Energy Grid, Advancing Equity and Protecting Ratepayers, Chapter 239 of the Acts of 2024, which was enacted in late 2024. In total, the state hopes to procure 5,000 MW of storage capacity by July 31, 2030.

This first Section 83E procurement seeks 1500 MW of “mid-duration” energy storage, which is defined as projects capable of discharging at their full rated capacity for at least four and up to 10 hours, and the RFP seeks projects between 40 MW and 1,000 MW nameplate capacity.

The RFP is for environmental attributes only, particularly Clean Peak Energy Certificates (CPECs) pursuant to Massachusetts’ Clean Peak Energy Standard (CPS). Subsequent procurements may seek longer duration storage as well as energy services in addition to environmental attributes.

Proposals must provide for a scheduled commercial operation date (COD) before January 1, 2030. Selected bidders will enter into long-term contracts with each of the Massachusetts Electric Distribution Companies (EDCs)—Eversource, National Grid, and Unitil—if negotiations are successful. Existing resources are eligible to bid assuming they meet all other eligibility requirements.

Among other requirements, bidders must submit with their proposals any exceptions to the form long-term contracts (LTCs) with the EDCs. The form LTCs are provided in the RFP documents. If a bid is accepted, the bidder will enter a period of contract negotiations with the EDCs during which their proposed changes will be considered.

Bids are due by 12:00 pm EDT on September 10, 2025. Project selection is expected to occur by December 9, 2025, and the LTCs to be executed by March 27, 2026.

More information, including the RFP and bid documents, are available here. Pierce Atwood is available to advise prospective bidders regarding the RFP, the form LTCs, or other aspects of bidders’ proposals. For more information, please contact firm energy attorneys Eben Albert, Andrew Kaplan, or Nicholas Salalayko.