Maryland’s Board of Public Works approved a 20-year power purchase agreement for the Jade Meadow III Solar Project on August 19, 2026. The state’s Department of General Services (DGS) will buy the power for state government energy accounts from developer REV Renewables.
What exactly did Maryland sign?
The project is 300 MW and would sit mainly in Garrett County, Western Maryland, on a reclaimed coal mine. The state says it will buy about half of the output, which is expected to be about 250,000 MWh a year starting in 2028. The state equates that to more than 20,000 homes’ annual use, though the release doesn’t give the assumptions. The developer is REV Renewables.
The state says the deal nearly doubles the renewable electricity it buys directly through long-term contracts. It currently buys from Mount St. Mary’s Solar, Roth Rock wind and Pinnacle wind, per the press release. It says Jade Meadow III would supply nearly 15% of its portfolio starting in 2028. The release doesn’t define the denominator, and The Daily Record describes the supply as going to state energy accounts.
The site is the Lower Georges Creek Coalfield. The Daily Record reports it was mined periodically from the 1800s and shut in the early 2000s, mainly because of cost.
Is the solar farm built?
No. The agreement is approved, and the project is still in the PJM Interconnection queue. The sources don’t report that construction has started, and the 2028 date depends on interconnection and construction.
Why It Matters to You
The benefit here is indirect and mostly to government. The savings accrue to state accounts, such as government buildings, not to household electric bills, and the sources do not say your bill will go down. If you’re a Maryland taxpayer, lower state energy costs could matter to you, but that’s a projection, and nothing is built yet.
How much is the state supposed to save?
The $300 million headline is a projection of savings to state government. DGS projects $298 million to $515 million over 20 years, depending on future electricity market conditions, which is why the range is so wide. The state says the figure comes from a DGS financial analysis comparing the deal with continuing its traditional electricity purchasing. The Daily Record reports the agreement is valued at $470 million.
| Item | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | 300 MW | Maryland Governor’s office |
| Annual output from 2028 | About 250,000 MWh | Maryland Governor’s office |
| Contract term | 20 years | Maryland Governor’s office |
| Projected state savings | $298 million to $515 million | Maryland DGS analysis |
| Contract value | $470 million | The Daily Record |
Can we check the math?
Not really. The savings are projections from the buyer’s own analysis, not realized results. The contract price per megawatt-hour wasn’t disclosed in the sources, so outsiders can’t check them. Neither source states local job counts or county tax revenue.
Sources
- Maryland Governor’s Office: Maryland announces landmark solar energy agreement expected to save $300 million (press release) (Aug 19, 2026)
- The Daily Record: Maryland approves solar deal on reclaimed Garrett County coal mine (Aug 20, 2026)