A major leap forward in sustainable energy has been made as Ameresco, Inc. a distinguished leader in energy infrastructure solutions, and Klickitat Valley Health (KVH) officially broke ground this past Thursday on two significant clean energy installations at the Westerly Washington hospital campus. These projects—a 45-ton ground-source heat-pump system and a 375 kW solar-carport array—are designed not only to reduce utility costs and improve energy efficiency, but also to strengthen campus resilience and advance the hospital’s sustainability commitments.
Two major initiatives, one unified objective
Ameresco will spearhead both initiatives through engineering, design, construction and long-term system performance monitoring, delivering a comprehensive solution to meet KVH’s operational, economic and environmental goals.
Ground-source heat pump system
The first of the two systems set to be constructed is the 45-ton ground-source heat pump installation, which involves drilling 20 boreholes, each approximately 400 feet deep. By tapping into the relatively stable temperatures deep underground, the system will provide efficient heating and cooling for the hospital buildings on the KVH campus. Construction on this geothermal system will begin in December of the current year and is expected to be completed by the summer of 2026. Once operational, the system is projected to reduce energy costs by approximately $60,000 annually.
Solar carports
Complementing the geothermal system is a 375 kW solar-carport installation. These solar panels will be mounted on covered parking structures north of the hospital campus, creating dual value: shaded and sheltered parking for staff and visitors, and clean renewable power generation for the hospital. Construction of the solar carports is slated to begin in spring 2026, with completion by the end of the same year. The solar installation is projected to yield about $30,000 in annual energy savings.
Strategic value for rural healthcare
In the words of Klickitat Valley HealthChief Executive Officer Jonathan Hatfield:
Breaking ground on these projects is about more than clean energy—it’s about responsible stewardship of community dollars and greater reliability for patient care.”
Hatfield emphasises that the pairing of geothermal and solar technologies will not only lower annual utility expenditures, but also enhance system reliability—an especially important consideration for a rural hospital setting where energy disruptions can have outsized operational impacts. The long-term savings generated will be redirected into core mission areas: patient care, provider resources and staff support.
Jonathan Lewis, Director of Support Services at KVH, further emphasised the practical benefits:
Projects like these make KVH more resilient and lower our operating costs so we can continue focusing resources on patient care. We’re grateful for the community support and the state funding that made this possible.”
Ameresco’s role and capabilities
Ameresco’s President for the Central & Western U.S. and Canada Regions, Lou Maltezos, commented on the company’s holistic involvement:
For this initiative, Ameresco is providing comprehensive engineering services, project management, and long-term performance monitoring. This project exemplifies how renewable energy technologies can enhance institutional resilience, reduce emissions, and deliver sustained economic and environmental value for critical community organisations such as Klickitat Valley Health
Ameresco’s involvement underscores a turnkey delivery model: from feasibility and design, through construction, commissioning and performance assurance, Ameresco assumes responsibility for ensuring the systems meet or exceed expectations across energy savings, emissions reduction and operational reliability.
Funding and policy context
Both projects have been enabled through the support of the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Clean Energy Community Grants, backed by funding from the state’s Climate Commitment Act. The Act channels cap-and-invest revenue toward climate pollution reduction, job creation and public health improvements.
By leveraging this state-level grant mechanism, Klickitat Valley Health is able to deploy cutting-edge energy infrastructure upgrades that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive for a rural healthcare facility. This aligns with broader policy objectives: rural resilience, public health protection and equitable access to modern infrastructure.
Economic and environmental impact
From a cost-savings perspective, the two installations combine for an anticipated $90,000 per year in reduced operating costs. Over the expected useful life of the systems—commonly decades—these savings will accrue significantly, allowing KVH to reinvest in mission-critical healthcare services rather than utilities.
Environmentally, the shift to renewable energy and high-efficiency systems means a measurable reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, local air pollution and dependence on fossil-fuel-derived electricity and mechanical systems. Moreover, the landscaping of carport solar structures introduces a multipurpose infrastructure asset that delivers both functional and aesthetic benefit to the campus.
Operational benefits and resilience
In addition to cost and environmental benefits, these projects enhance institution-level resilience. Geothermal systems exhibit stable performance across seasons and weather extremes, while on-site solar generation mitigates dependency on grid-supplied power and associated vulnerabilities. For a rural hospital, such resilience translates into more reliable heating/cooling and power services—essential for patient safety, equipment operation and staff comfort.
Community and workforce implications
The construction and ongoing operation of these systems create local benefits beyond the hospital itself. Jobs associated with drilling, electrical work, solar installation and project management are generated during the build phase. The hospital, by reducing its operational expenditures, can allocate resources more freely toward care delivery, staff training and community health programs.
Looking ahead: timeline and next steps
- December: Ground-source heat pump construction commences.
- Summer 2026: Anticipated completion of geothermal installation.
- Spring 2026: Start of solar carport construction.
- End of 2026: Projected completion of solar carports.
Upon completion of both installations, Klickitat Valley Health will move into full commissioning, system integration and performance monitoring—with Ameresco overseeing the long-term performance to verify savings and operational reliability. The hospital anticipates that continuous measurement and verification will allow it to fine-tune operations, maximise return on investment and ensure the technologies operate at optimal efficiency.
The significance for rural healthcare innovation
This initiative places Klickitat Valley Health among the vanguard of rural healthcare providers embracing advanced renewable energy and efficiency strategies typically seen in larger urban institutions. By demonstrating that geothermal and solar carport systems are viable in a regional, community-hospital setting, this project may serve as a model for similar institutions across the country. It signals that with the right grants, energy-partnering models and deployment timelines, even rural hospitals can pursue ambitious sustainability goals.
Closing thoughts
The collaboration between Ameresco and Klickitat Valley Health represents a meaningful alignment of mission—where energy infrastructure meets healthcare outcomes. By reducing costs, bolstering reliability and embracing sustainability, KVH is positioning itself for a future where every dollar saved in utilities can be deployed directly to patient care, provider support and staff excellence. The community around Goldendale, Washington, can take pride in having a hospital that not only serves health needs but also leads in responsible, forward-thinking stewardship of its facilities and environmental footprint.
As construction begins and the systems move from design to reality, the promise of this initiative is clear: a stronger, more resilient, smarter hospital campus—powered by the earth below and the sun above.
About Ameresco, Inc.
Founded in 2000, Ameresco, Inc. (NYSE:AMRC) is a leading energy infrastructure 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 energy infrastructure solutions to Federal, state and local governments, utilities, data centers, 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
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