LINCOLN, Maine — The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $147 million grant to develop the world’s largest multi-day energy storage facility at the site of a former mill in Lincoln.
Gov. Janet Mills, U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, U.S. Sen. Angus King, and U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree made the announcement Tuesday.
According to the governor’s office, the plan is to turn what is now the Lincoln Technology Park into an electric storage project with an 85-megawatt battery system, the first of its kind in New England.
Using iron-air technology, the battery will be able to provide about four days of backup power for Maine. The project will also support higher loads of power from renewable sources of energy, including nearby offshore wind turbines.
"Energy storage is the key to fully unlocking the immense potential of renewable energy, and improving the resiliency of Maine’s power grid," King said.
According to the governor’s office, the award signifies meaningful progress toward Maine’s goal of 400 megawatts of energy storage installed by the end of 2030.
The mill in Lincoln closed in 2015, and the property has been abandoned since.
"This investment will play an important role in revitalizing Lincoln, including the site of the former paper mill, providing new opportunities for rural Maine," Mills said.
Richard Bronson, the town manager of Lincoln, said new jobs will be created by the project.
"This award will enable us to welcome cutting-edge technology that supports our town, our state, and our region by creating jobs, strengthening the electrical grid, and enabling the delivery of clean, reliable energy to power homes and businesses," Bronson said.
The funding for the project is part of a $389 million grant from the federal bipartisan infrastructure law to strengthen regional electric grids in New England.