Ameresco, an energy efficiency and renewable energy company, has signed an agreement to provide energy conservation measures (ECMs) for 45 facilities in the city of Portland in Maine, US.
The Portland City Council recently approved an agreement that will implement ECMs in 30 municipal buildings and 15 public schools.
The $9.4m energy efficiency project is expected to save the city nearly $17m over the 15-year project term while reducing Portland’s carbon footprint.
Ameresco and Mactec audited all of Portland’s K-12 schools, police and fire stations and recreational facilities, along with city buildings and schools on Casco Bay Islands.
Benefits of implementing the ECMs include the reduced demand for electricity, such as sustained energy reductions and lowering the harmful emissions of carbon dioxide, the company said.
As part of the ECMs, the city will switch from fuel oil to natural gas and Ameresco will install a 2,000W solar array at the Portland Arts and Technology High School.
Ameresco will guarantee a minimum level of energy savings over the contract period and an assurance to the city that the cash inflows from the project will exceed the cash requirements for the project, offsetting the costs of these improvements, and will also provide grant funding to the city.