Veregy was awarded a $36.38 million infrastructure modernization and energy-efficiency contract covering about 850,000 square feet of facilities at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign’s College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.
The university’s Facilities & Services Energy Performance Contracting program is delivering the project, which is expected to generate more than $38.5 million in guaranteed energy savings over the contract term.
The work will span seven major campus properties: the Plant Sciences Laboratory, Turner Hall, Turner Hall Greenhouses, Madigan Laboratory, Animal Sciences Laboratory, ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center, and the National Soybean Research Center.
The project includes extensive upgrades across research and academic facilities, with improvements focused on energy efficiency, infrastructure modernization, building performance, and long-term operational resilience.
Veregy plans to replace more than 134,800 square feet of specialized greenhouse glazing across Turner Hall Greenhouses and the Plant Sciences Laboratory.
The greenhouse improvements are designed to increase thermal performance and strengthen environmental control within facilities that support agricultural research and academic programs.
The company will also upgrade approximately 25,000 legacy fluorescent lighting fixtures to high-efficiency LED technology.
Mechanical and automation improvements will include enhancements to building automation systems, ventilation air rebalancing, energy leak mitigation, energy recovery heating, and unit heater steam control valve installations.
Additional improvements will include facility weatherization, ductwork sealing, steam trap replacements, and steam piping insulation intended to reduce thermal losses across aging infrastructure.
The project is structured so that the capital improvements are funded through the energy efficiencies generated by the upgrades.
Once completed, Veregy expects the improvements to reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by an amount equivalent to preserving 5,746 acres of forest.
The project is also expected to support regional economic activity, with implementation estimated to support 456 construction jobs.
Veregy said 19 businesses certified by the Commission on Equity and Inclusion will participate in the project, supporting local and diverse trade participation.
Preliminary engineering and phased construction will proceed across the university-designated facilities.
Individual building schedules will be coordinated to minimize disruption and maintain ongoing academic and research operations during construction.
Substantial completion of the project is expected by fall 2028.
Veregy is a national energy services and decarbonization company providing engineering and construction services focused on reducing energy and operating costs.
Its capabilities include energy efficiency and infrastructure upgrades, smart building technology, fleet electric vehicle infrastructure, clean energy generation, and sustainability initiatives.
KEY QUOTES:
“Modernizing specialized research and agricultural environments requires precision engineering that balances rigorous energy performance with the demanding conditions required for academic discovery. Veregy is proud to deploy our technical expertise across these vital facilities, implementing tailored infrastructure solutions that not only eliminate deferred maintenance, but provide long-term energy resilience and guaranteed financial returns.”
Wes Walker, Chief Executive Officer of Veregy
