Report Shows Maine's Clean Energy Economy Fastest Growing in New England, Supports More Than 16,000 Jobs in Maine

March 18, 2026

March 18, 2026

Contact: Afton Vigue, Maine Department of Energy Resources

Report Shows Maine's Clean Energy Economy Fastest Growing in New England, Supports More Than 16,000 Jobs in Maine

Maine Department of Energy Resources Report estimates clean energy sector contributes $3 billion to Maines economy

Augusta, MAINE - The Maine Department of Energy Resources (DOER) released its latest assessment of Maine's Clean Energy Economy (PDF link), which found Maine's clean energy sector contributed $3 billion to the state's economy in 2024 and grew the fastest in New England from 2020-2024.

The report, an independent analysis commissioned annually by DOER using data from the U.S. Department of Energy, finds there were 16,171 clean energy workers in Maine. The report found clean energy jobs grew three times faster than Maine's overall workforce and outpaced national clean energy employment growth since 2020.

The report analyzes employment in energy efficiency, power generation, transportation, grid and storage, and fuels. Of those sectors, the largest was energy efficiency, which accounted for nearly 9,500 jobs or about two thirds of Maine's clean energy workforce. Energy efficiency jobs include heat pump installation and maintenance, weatherization services, and traditional HVAC, among other related professions. Jobs in transmission, distribution, and power generation have also grown in recent years.

"Investments in energy efficiency and clean energy make Maine more energy secure by reducing our exposure to volatile global energy markets while creating good-paying jobs and career opportunities for Maine people," said Dan Burgess, Acting Commissioner of the Maine Department of Energy Resources. "Maine has a dynamic clean energy sector - from startups and small businesses to larger businesses across the state, investments in the sector are building a stronger economy in Maine."

"Maine's growing clean energy workforce offers a wide range of quality career opportunities, and interest in these skilled trades continues to grow because they meet the needs of workers and employers while advancing the state's climate and housing goals," said Laura Fortman, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Labor. "Through our CareerCentersincluding support from a dedicated clean energy navigatorwe help people explore these careers and connect with proven pathways like registered apprenticeships for in-demand jobs."

"Maine's clean energy growth is not just an environmental success story its an economic one," said Mike Duguay, Commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development. "Surpassing 16,000 clean energy jobs demonstrates that innovation, workforce development, and smart public investments are creating real opportunity across our state. From small businesses to advanced manufacturers, clean energy is strengthening Maine's competitive edge and positioning us for long-term economic resilience."

"The clean energy sector from energy efficiency businesses, heat pump installers, and clean energy developers continues to be a strong jobs engine for our state," said Patrick Woodcock, President and CEO of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce. "With the labor market showing some signs of overall weakness, it is incredibly important to support areas of growth, including our clean energy sector. The Maine State Chamber of Commerce appreciate the businesses who are working tirelessly every day to provide clean energy solutions and helping to grow our state's economy."

In 2023, DOER launched the Clean Energy Partnership through Governor Mills' Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan. The Partnership is a clean energy workforce and innovation initiative that works with other state agencies, employers, schools and colleges, and workforce training organizations to expand employment opportunities in the clean energy sector.

Through the Partnership, DOER supports workforce training programs that will ensure Maine people have the skills and resources to build careers in the clean energy field. In January, the Department announced $1.2 million in grants to three organizations to support energy efficiency workforce training. The programs will expand Maine's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning workforce, serving as many as 1,200 participants and 60 local businesses.

This spring, the Department will also launch the Maine Clean Energy Internship Program with the Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP), a new program to provide opportunities for paid work experience in the clean energy and energy efficiency industries. This program builds on a successful pilot, which placed 60 interns in diverse roles at solar, heat pump, and weatherization contractors, nonprofits, engineering and consulting firms, and more.

"NEEP is looking forward to continuing its partnership with Maine DOER as well as The JPI Group and E2Tech, building on the success of the past three years and advancing clean energy jobs in Maine," said Chase Macpherson, Manager of Community Solutions at NEEP.

Since 2022, DOER has awarded over $8 million in grants through the Partnership to support clean energy workforce development and innovation programs to attract new workers, provide career training, and support small and startup businesses in cleantech.

In 2024, DOER launched the Maine Clean Energy Jobs Network, an online job board that connects users with Maine-based clean energy employers and training programs. The website lists dozens of open positions, employers, and training opportunities including paid internships and apprenticeships across the state.

DOER will host a public webinar to review the results of the Report with its authors, BW Research, on April 9, 2026. Attendees can register here to join.