The Air Force says it will create savings of more than $1 million a year at its Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico as a result of its contract with Ameresco, Inc., a cleantech integrator specializing in energy efficiency and renewable energy.
The company reached a $19 million Energy Savings Performance Contract with Cannon Air base and the Defense Logistics Agency Energy to incorporate 1.9 megawatts of solar generation capacity, smart controls and other conservation technologies.
The project designed by Ameresco will provide tangible facility improvements and enable recurring reductions in utility costs, while converting 4% of Cannon’s electric energy usage to onsite renewable resources.
Planned improvements for the Air Force base include upgrades to existing transformers, direct digital controls (DDC), and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment, as well as a 1.9MW ground mount solar photovoltaic (PV) array and LED lighting retrofits to enhance Air Commando Mission night training.
As a result of these upgrades, Cannon Air Force Base will save approximately $1.1 million in the first year alone and $33 million over the course of the performance period.
Construction on the project is set to begin in Q3 2021 and reach completion by Q1 2023.
Cannon Air Force Base, home of the 27th Special Operations Wing, lies in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, near the Texas Panhandle. The base is eight miles west of Clovis, New Mexico, and is 4,295 feet above sea level. The base itself sits on 3,789 acres of land.
The Melrose Air Force Range training area, located approximately 25 miles west of the base, is approximately 70,000 acres. Operations on Melrose Range also cover an area of 2,500 square miles of airspace. Melrose is used for training such as air to ground, small arms, and electronic combat.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. is a leading cleantech integrator and renewable energy asset developer, owner and operator. Its comprehensive portfolio includes energy efficiency, infrastructure upgrades, asset sustainability and renewable energy solutions delivered to clients throughout North America and the United Kingdom.
