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Our clean energy future requires us to harness the power of all available renewable resources. Modernizing hydropower facilities expands the potential of pre-existing waterpower assets, benefiting local communities and the environment at the same time. The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating climate innovation to meet Massachusetts emission reduction goals, values hydro’s critical role in achieving a net-zero grid by 2050.
To ensure communities across the state benefit from hydro’s affordability and reliability, MassCEC has offered an annual grant program to hydropower facilities in Massachusetts for construction projects, new technology deployment, relicensing, and feasibility studies since 2010. Forthcoming grants are worth up to $300,000.
Any eligible Massachusetts-based entities should apply for MassCEC’s 13th Application Round for the Commonwealth Hydropower grant program by May 9, 2024.
SUPPORTING HYDROPOWER IN MASSACHUSETTS
Created by the Green Jobs Act of 2008, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center accelerates the success of clean energy technologies, companies, and projects to create high-quality jobs and long-term economic growth for the people of Massachusetts.
MassCEC catalyzes clean energy and climatetech sector growth, supports municipal clean energy projects, and advances residential and commercial renewable energy installations to build a robust marketplace for innovative clean technology companies and service providers.
Starting in 2010, MassCEC’s Commonwealth Hydropower grant has provided hydropower facilities in Massachusetts with an annual funding opportunity for construction projects, new technology deployment, relicensing, and feasibility studies. MassCEC designed this program to cost-effectively improve the energy capacity of Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS)-qualified hydropower across the state.
Hydropower has a long history in Massachusetts – the state has numerous small hydropower facilities dating from the Industrial Revolution through the 20th century. Most hydropower sites across the state have been transformed from mechanical hydropower into hydroelectric facilities.
Modernization strengthens these facilities so that they can extract more energy and minimize adverse environmental impacts on host waterways. The objective of the Commonwealth Hydropower grant program is to maximize these opportunities to generate local clean energy, which will play a crucial role in Massachusetts achieving its goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
MassCEC encourages any eligible commercial, industrial, institutional, nonprofit, or public entity to apply. Eligibility includes having long-term site control over a facility and the rights to the water powering the system. If the Applicant does not own the dam or conduit associated with the project, a letter of support from the dam or conduit owner is required.
MassCEC welcomes applications until May 9, 2024!
Visit the Commonwealth Hydropower webpage to read the Request for Proposals and find out more.
Reach out to hydro@masscec.com with any questions!
