Ameresco, a leader in clean energy and infrastructure modernization, announced it has secured a $197 million Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL).
The contract was awarded through the U.S. Army Engineering Support Center (USACE), Huntsville ESPC III MATOC. It will focus on modernizing the NRL’s critical infrastructure, strengthening utility resilience, and delivering long-term cost savings across its Washington, D.C. campus and Chesapeake Bay Detachment.
The multi-year project is designed to address pressing energy and water infrastructure needs while enhancing operational reliability for one of the U.S. Navy’s most important research institutions. The initiative includes extensive upgrades to steam generation and distribution systems, chilled water systems, and the installation of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) platform that enables seamless, real-time management of infrastructure assets.
Once complete, the project is expected to generate over $362 million in savings across a 21-year performance period, including $12.5 million in annual cost savings. Ameresco’s work will focus on energy efficiency, system reliability, and sustainability to ensure mission readiness while reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs.
The scope of work includes modernization of boiler and chiller plants, LED lighting retrofits, steam and plumbing system improvements, and cooling tower optimization through advanced water treatment and monitoring systems. In addition, Ameresco will address critical infrastructure repairs, such as the replacement of aging steam and condensate distribution systems, while maintaining uninterrupted NRL operations throughout implementation.
The project reflects Ameresco’s continued leadership in energy performance contracting, enabling federal agencies to modernize facilities and enhance energy security without upfront capital costs.
KEY QUOTE:
“This initiative reflects Ameresco’s deep commitment to supporting the operational integrity of our nation’s defense infrastructure. By integrating high-efficiency systems and SCADA-enabled technologies, we’re modernizing aging infrastructure and delivering significant cost savings. These upgrades are designed to ensure uninterrupted mission readiness while aligning with NRL’s long-term mission.”
Nicole Bulgarino, President of Federal Solutions and Utility Infrastructure, Ameresco
