Energy Infrastructure Improvements
UC Berkeley is undertaking a critical and comprehensive modernization of its energy infrastructure to address the limitations of its aging utility systems and ensure long-term operational reliability. Much of the campus is currently served by a steam-based cogeneration system that is more than 40 years old. This system is increasingly difficult and costly to maintain, vulnerable to unplanned outages, and approaching the end of its usable life.
To sustain Berkeley’s academic and research mission well into the future, the university is replacing this outdated infrastructure with a new, all-electric energy system designed for reliability, flexibility, and efficiency.
This transformation is being realized through the Clean Energy Campus project—a long-range, multi-phase capital program approved by the UC Board of Regents in July 2025. It represents one of the most significant infrastructure investments in UC Berkeley’s history.
The Clean Energy Campus project will:
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Construct a new, centralized electric heating and cooling plant, capable of meeting the university’s core thermal energy needs using grid electricity.
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Replace the campus’s aging network of steam pipes with new hot water and chilled water distribution systems that are safer, more efficient, and easier to maintain.
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Upgrade and convert individual campus buildings to connect with the new system, supporting improved energy performance and reducing reliance on legacy equipment.
This energy infrastructure initiative is not just about replacing outdated equipment—it is a strategic investment in the university’s ability to operate efficiently, reliably, and responsibly for decades to come. Key benefits include:
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Enhanced system reliability, reducing the likelihood of unplanned outages that disrupt academic, research, and administrative operations.
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Improved maintenance efficiency, lowering the long-term cost and complexity of servicing utility infrastructure.
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Greater flexibility and scalability, enabling the campus to support future growth and respond to changes in energy technologies and demand.
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Risk reduction, by removing single points of failure and transitioning away from hard-to-replace legacy components.
To learn more about the project’s scope, components, and implementation timeline, visit the Clean Energy Campus website.
