MaineHealth will buy power produced at 10 Maine solar farms

MaineHealth, the state’s largest health care system, said Thursday it has reached agreements to purchase electricity from three developers of solar energy projects in Maine.

Under a new state initiative aimed at encouraging the creation of additional renewable energy resources, MaineHealth will buy power from 10 solar farms for the next 20 years, according to a news release. Other terms were not disclosed.

The agreement allows the developers to secure financing for the solar farms in Maine, and is enabled by state legislation last year that creates a system of credits for purchasing solar power through an assessment on electric utility bills.

Working with Competitive Energy Services LLC, a Portland-based energy consulting firm, MaineHealth has reached agreements under the program with San Diego-based Borrego Solar Systems and two Boston companies, BlueWave Solar and Nexamp.

The solar farms are expected to be brought on line over the next two years, and once fully operational, the state credit system will help reduce the health system’s overall electric utility costs. MaineHealth said it expects to save at least $1 million annually on its electric power bill.

“This program enables us to play a significant role in the development of solar energy in Maine, thereby reducing our region’s overall carbon footprint. Doing so is consistent with our organization’s vision of working together, so our communities are the healthiest in America,” said Bill Caron, MaineHealth CEO.