1. (a) The Commission shall, by regulation or order, establish a competitive process for the procurement of projects for the construction and deployment of front-of-the-meter transmission energy storage devices in the State.

2. (b)

   1. (1)

      1. (i) On or before January 1, 2026, the Commission shall issue a procurement solicitation for applications for projects for the construction and deployment of front-of-the-meter transmission energy storage devices.
      2. (ii) Except as provided in subparagraph (iii) of this paragraph, the procurement solicitation shall be for 800 megawatts of cumulative energy storage capacity, as measured in effective nameplate capacity.
      3. (iii) The procurement solicitation may exceed 800 megawatts of cumulative energy storage capacity, as measured in effective nameplate capacity, if the Commission determines that the proposals are cost-effective and adequately support the goals established under this subtitle, including the goal of securing affordable, reliable electrical service for Maryland residents.
   2. (2) On or before October 1, 2026, the Commission shall issue a decision on whether to approve one or more proposals in accordance with § 7-1226(c) of this subtitle.

   3. (3)

      1. (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the transmission energy storage devices procured in accordance with this subsection shall be operational within 24 months after a project is selected by the Commission.
      2. (ii) The Commission may extend the operating deadline under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph for good cause shown.

3. (c)

   1. (1) On or before January 1, 2027, the Commission shall issue a second procurement solicitation for the procurement of projects for the construction and deployment of front-of-the-meter transmission energy storage devices.

   2. (2)

      1. (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the procurement solicitation shall be for 800 megawatts of cumulative energy storage capacity, as measured in effective nameplate capacity.
      2. (ii) The procurement solicitation may exceed 800 megawatts of cumulative energy storage capacity, as measured in effective nameplate capacity, if the Commission determines that the proposals are cost-effective and adequately support the goals established under this subtitle, including the goal of securing affordable, reliable electrical service for Maryland residents.
   3. (3) On or before October 1, 2027, the Commission shall issue a decision on whether to approve one or more proposals in accordance with § 7-1226(c) of this subtitle.

   4. (4)

      1. (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, the transmission energy storage devices procured in accordance with this subsection shall be operational within 24 months after a project is selected by the Commission.
      2. (ii) The Commission may extend the operating deadline under subparagraph (i) of this paragraph for good cause shown.

Added by Acts 2025, c. 625, § 3, eff. June 1, 2025; Acts 2025, c. 626, § 3, eff. June 1, 2025. Amended by Acts 2026, c. 353, § 5, eff. May 12, 2026.