Commonwealth Hydropower is a grant program designed to cost-effectively increase the energy output of Massachusetts RPS-qualified hydropower through upgrades to existing facilities or construction of new conduit facilities. The program provides $300,000 in grant funding for feasibility studies and construction projects that maximize energy generation from small hydropower facilities dating from the Industrial Revolution through the twentieth century, as well as energy capture from water and wastewater conduits.
Eligible applicants include commercial, industrial, institutional, non-profit, and public entities that can demonstrate long-term site control over the project location and rights to the water used to power the system. If the applicant does not own the dam or conduit, a letter of support from the owner is required. Eligible facilities must meet Massachusetts Renewable Portfolio Standard qualification criteria and projects must meet cost-effectiveness requirements. Grant size is determined in part by the incremental energy production that proposed upgrades will enable, as modeled using MassCEC's methodology. Successful applicants are expected to propose projects providing economic benefits to Massachusetts entities or workers.
The application process requires consultation with the MA Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (unless the facility is already RPS-qualified or the application is for a conduit feasibility study), submission of a written application, and may include a site visit by MassCEC staff and technical consultants. Key dates for Round 15 include: RFP released Monday, February 23, 2026; questions due Monday, March 2, 2026; answers posted Tuesday, March 10, 2026; proposals due Tuesday, April 7, 2026; interviews or site visits in late April 2026; and selection announcement in June 2026.