Ameresco Expands Long-Standing Collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago Through $30 Million Phase 2 Energy Efficiency Project

HVAC upgrades across two campus buildings designed to deliver $1 million in annual energy savings through cost-savings and increased efficiency

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. & CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ameresco, Inc., (NYSE: AMRC), a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers navigate the energy transition, today announced the launch of its $30 million Phase 2 project with the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Building on a decade-long collaboration, this project focuses on advanced energy-efficient HVAC infrastructure upgrades across two critical campus buildings, aimed at reducing energy consumption and enhancing campus sustainability.

The project includes the installation of 24 energy-efficient air handling units and the implementation of sophisticated heating and cooling smart controls in the University Hall, which houses administrative offices, and the Behavioral Science Building, which is the largest classroom building on UIC’s campus. This initiative is expected to generate over $1 million in combined annual energy and operational savings for UIC.

"Many universities face the challenge of aging infrastructure, and we’re proud to support our long-term partner, the University of Illinois Chicago, in addressing these issues on their campus," said Lou Maltezos, President of Central & Western USA, Canada Regions at Ameresco. "By upgrading critical systems, this project not only tackles deferred maintenance but also demonstrates the transformative potential of modern energy efficiency solutions to reduce environmental impact, enhance functionality and create more comfortable spaces for students and staff."

The project is expected to be completed in 18 months and projected to deliver significant environmental benefits in addition to addressing deferred maintenance of aged mechanical equipment. It is expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those produced by driving ~5.5 million miles in an average gasoline-powered passenger vehicle or the carbon sequestration achieved by ~2,100 acres of U.S. forests in one year, resulting in annual CO2 savings of 2,100+ metric tons.

UIC continues to solidify its position as a leader in sustainability within higher education with a new initiative that builds upon its strong reputation and legacy, established with the publication of the University’s first Climate Action Plan in 2009. This project, which aligns with the Climate Commitment Action Plan (CCAP 2024)’s CN 1: Energy Efficiency Portfolio, which prioritizes energy efficiency in buildings and campus operations. Energy-efficient facilities use less energy to provide the same level of occupant comfort and produce the same building performance.

This project is designed to implement extensive energy efficiency upgrades to core building HVAC systems. These upgrades aim to significantly reduce energy consumption, operational costs and carbon emissions in accordance with its five climate commitments. By upgrading critical systems, this project demonstrates the transformative potential of modern energy efficiency infrastructure solutions to reduce costs, enhance functionality and create more comfortable spaces for the university community to use.

“The University of Illinois Chicago is committed to creating a campus that embodies sustainability and innovation,” said John Coronado, vice chancellor for administrative services at UIC. “These projects will reduce the university’s energy footprint and also transform our facilities to better serve our students, faculty and staff.”

For more information about Ameresco and its energy efficiency infrastructure solutions, visit https://www.ameresco.com/energy-efficiency/.

About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE: AMRC) is a leading energy solutions provider dedicated to helping customers reduce costs, enhance resilience, and decarbonize to net zero in the global energy transition. Our comprehensive portfolio includes implementing smart energy efficiency solutions, upgrading aging infrastructure, and developing, constructing, and operating distributed energy resources. As a trusted full-service partner, Ameresco shows the way by reducing energy use and delivering diversified generation solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, educational and healthcare institutions, housing authorities, and commercial and industrial customers. Headquartered in Framingham, MA, Ameresco has more than 1,500 employees providing local expertise in North America and Europe. For more information, visit www.ameresco.com.

The announcement of a customer’s entry into a project contract is not necessarily indicative of the timing or amount of revenue from such contract, of Ameresco’s overall revenue for any particular period or of trends in Ameresco’s overall total project backlog. This project was included in Ameresco’s previously reported contracted backlog as of March 31, 2025.