Electrifying Maine’s Working Waterfront

A Study of Shoreside Charging Infrastructure

Island Institute led the first statewide analysis of shoreside electric vessel charging potential to guide the electrification of Maine’s working waterfronts. Conducted by Homarus Strategies LLC in partnership with Haley Ward, Inc., this assessment provides the foundational data to realize Maine’s marine electrification potential. 

The report offers a broad perspective on existing conditions, feasibility, planning and implementation considerations, and technical solutions to expand electrification of the marine sector along the coast of Maine. A comprehensive geospatial analysis, stakeholder engagement, and the identification of 373 highly suitable sites across multiple vessel types demonstrate significant opportunity while highlighting critical infrastructure needs. The report directly supports the 2024 update to Maine Won’t Wait: A Four-Year Climate Action Plan, providing the evidence base for strategic investments that protect against climate impacts through clean energy installations that make businesses more resilient and economically competitive.

       READ THE REPORT       

Since 2020, Island Institute has been leading the marine electrification movement on Maine’s coast as part of our efforts to ensure an enduring and prosperous marine economy. The organization has helped transition more than two dozen workboats from gas to electric propulsion, deployed demonstration boats to build confidence in electric systems, funded shoreside charging equipment, and conducted foundational greenhouse gas assessments across the seafood sector that identified fuel use as a top contributor of emissions. 

As Maine’s natural resource-dependent businesses like fishing, aquaculture, and marine tourism face mounting pressures from aging infrastructure, climate impacts, and rising costs for fuel, materials, and services, an opportunity exists to decarbonize through electrification, hybrid systems, and efficiency technologies. By supporting the development of shoreside charging infrastructure informed by this assessment, Maine can position itself as a leader in sustainable maritime electrification practices, strengthen the resilience of working waterfront communities, and preserve the working character of the state’s waterfronts while transitioning to clean energy technologies.

Discover the Electrification Potential of Maine’s Waterfront for Marine Propulsion

Click here to open the interactive map in a new tab.

      WATCH IN-DEPTH VIDEOS ABOUT THE MAP      

Key Findings and Recommendations

1. Marine electrification will support Maine’s climate goals.
   This analysis demonstrates how marine electrification can support Maine Won’t Wait: A Four-Year Climate Action Plan (2024 update) by providing evidence for strategic clean energy investments that strengthen business resilience and economic competitiveness. 
2. There is strong potential along the coast for single and multi-vessel charging.
   233 working waterfront locations are highly suitable for charging a single vessel type—whether commercial fishing day-boats, aquaculture craft, small recreational boats, or larger yachts. 140 additional sites can accommodate multiple vessel types, offering flexible charging solutions. 
3. There are clear regional advantages.
   Different coastal regions match different vessel types:

• • Southern Maine (Kittery through Casco Bay): Best for recreational vessels 

• • Midcoast (Sheepscot to Penobscot Rivers): Best for aquaculture vessels 

• • High-value commercial harbors (Stonington, Bass Harbor, Jonesport/Beals): Best for commercial fishing fleet electrification 

5. Fast charging power access is a limiting factor.
   Only 25% of Maine’s working waterfront facilities have access to the 3-phase power needed for Level 3 fast charging within 250 feet. Most sites would need major electrical infrastructure upgrades, which will require careful planning, capital investments, and coordination with the electrical utilities.
6. Mooring systems complicate charging.
   Many commercial fishing harbors use moorings instead of docks, making it harder to connect boats to shore-based chargers. This affects how and where charging infrastructure can be deployed.
7. There is no universal charging solution.
   Different boats need different approaches. Large battery systems may require fast charging at the dock, overnight charging, or even recharging while vessels are underway. A combination of charging strategies may be needed for larger commercial vessels.

8. Coordinated, strategic planning and infrastructure development will expedite results.
   For Maine to meet its climate goals and capture the economic benefits of marine electrification, we must provide pathways for all parts of the state’s maritime economy to participate. This requires: 

• • Integrated Planning: Coordinate efforts between state, regional, and municipal governments alongside marine-related businesses 

• • Strategic Investment: Target investments that prioritize flexibility and broad distribution across industry segments and Maine’s diverse geography 

• • Infrastructure Development: Focus on high-value opportunities while addressing grid capacity constraints in rural areas 

• • Stakeholder Engagement: Continue collaboration with working waterfront owners, operators, and users to ensure strategies meet real-world needs