Solar panels in Damariscotta, Maine. (Photo by Evan Houk/ Maine Morning Star)
The clean energy sector in Maine grew in 2024 — employing more than 16,000 workers, making it New England’s fastest-growing clean energy workforce in recent years, according to a new state analysis.
“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, in a press release.
The Maine Department of Energy Resources last week released its Maine Clean Energy Industry Report for 2024, the most recent data available on the sector. But those numbers don’t account for the fallout from decisions by President Donald Trump’s administration in the last year.
In 2024, the clean energy sector added 100 new businesses and 614 jobs. Those jobs represent a 4% increase from 2023, a higher rate than Maine’s overall job growth.
The state’s clean energy economy contributed $3 billion in 2024, making up roughly 3% of Maine’s total output.
“Maine’s clean energy growth is not just an environmental success story — it’s an economic one,” said Mike Duguay, commissioner of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development, in a press release. “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.”
But the 2024 data reflects a period before the second Trump administration began to slash clean energy and environmental programs and funding.
Since last January, the federal government has eliminated federal tax breaks for energy efficiency improvements to homes and businesses, and tax breaks for electric vehicles.
There have been delays and court battles over changes to wind and solar programs — including the cancellation of $62 million to Maine as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Solar For All Program.
Nonetheless, the Maine Department of Energy Resources highlighted recent state-level programs geared at the clean energy industry — including a January announcement that the department awarded three grants totalling $1.2 million to support energy efficiency workforce training.
