CANNON AIR FORCE BASE, New Mexico –
Cannon Air Force Base will have access to more resilient, efficient, and reliable energy thanks to a Defense Logistics Agency Energy $19 million energy savings performance contract.
The contract was awarded June 3 and includes five energy conservation upgrades to 119 buildings and incorporates 1.9 megawatts of solar generation capacity, smart controls, and other conservation technologies. The New Mexico Air Force Base is expected to save approximately $1.1 million in the first year alone and $33 million over the course of the performance period.
“Challenges faced during the ESPC process included coordinating the location of the proposed solar array and making sure the appropriate environmental assessments were completed and approved prior to award,” said DLA Energy Installation Energy Contracting Officer Cindy Ralph.
The project is expected to reduce annual energy consumption and carbon emissions by 77,883 million British thermal units and 10,700 metric tons. The collaborative effort between the Air Force Civil Engineer Center and Cannon AFB supports the Air Force’s goal to improve resilience, optimize demand and assure a vital energy supply for every mission.
Located in the high plains of eastern New Mexico, near the Texas Panhandle, the base’s locations offered challenges and opportunities.
“We look forward to this ESPC contract,” said Air Force Col. Rob Masaitis, 27th Special Operations Wing commander and installation commander in an Air Force news release. “These infrastructure improvements will enhance the efficiency of our training and mission execution as well as reduce Cannon Air Force Base’s energy footprint.”
A unique aspect of this energy savings performance contract is the lighting management system.
“The new outdoor lighting management system will improve mission capability by providing rapid shutdown of the North and South ramp lighting during nighttime training operations,” Ralph said.
DLA Energy Installation Energy will kick off the construction phase of the effort in July, with expected completion in February 2023.
Installation Energy is one of the DoD’s contracting agents for meeting established energy efficiency and renewable energy goals. DLA Energy assists customers in determining which contractual and financing vehicles are applicable to their renewable energy or energy conservation effort. For more information on the ESPC and/or renewable energy programs, please contact dlaenergy.rteam@dla.mil.