Johnson Controls announced its collaboration with Harris County Sports & Convention Corporation, NRG Park and Harris County, Texas, to embark on a historic sustainability and energy efficiency project at one of the nation's busiest sports and entertainment complexes. The 20-year energy savings performance contract is expected to generate more than $54 million dollars in savings that will fund the entire cost of the complex-wide upgrades, as well as provide surplus savings to be reinvested back into the Harris County community.
Encompassing 350 acres of land and three sports, entertainment and event venues – NRG Center, NRG Stadium and NRG Arena – NRG Park is an integral part of the Houston community and hosts over 500 events and over 5.5 million people annually. The project spans across much of the complex including upgrades to HVAC equipment, building automation systems (BAS), water conservation, life safety systems and lighting improvements, as well as high-efficiency chiller upgrades and the integration of Johnson Controls OpenBlue Central Utility Plant. Johnson Controls will continue to measure and verify results through an ongoing service agreement.
In addition to creating a renewed environment for NRG Park attendees, the project is expected to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 241,000 metric tons annually, making this a project of significance to Harris County, which aims to reduce the county's carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 per its Climate Action Plan. Launched in January 2023, the plan outlines steps to reduce carbon emissions, including energy audits at outdated buildings and facilities to determine where energy-efficient equipment can be implemented, leading to better-performing facilities and long-term cost savings for the entire county.
