NYC Health + Hospitals and DCAS Celebrate Completion of Major Energy Efficiency Project at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
Major energy efficiency upgrades resulting in a $37M investment have enhanced Lincoln Hospital's infrastructure and reduced the hospital's carbon emissions Energy-efficiency retrofits and upgrades at Lincoln Hospital recognized by the Division of Energy Management as the City's 'Energy Project of the Year' Additional photos of the energy retrofits and equipment upgrades are available here
Jul 03, 2025
Today, NYC Health + Hospitals, the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) announced the completion of a comprehensive, two-phase energy retrofit project at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the Mott Haven section of the Bronx. The project marks the latest milestone in both agencies’ ongoing efforts to optimize energy use and decarbonize building operations by implementing technologies that reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
A $37 million investment, the project is expected to reduce Lincoln Hospital’s energy use and save the City nearly $1.5 million annually. The resulting emissions reduction — 5,300 metric tons of CO₂ each year — is equivalent to taking approximately 1,150 cars off the road.
“These new energy efficiency upgrades are more than just numbers on a page—they represent real progress in our city’s fight against climate change, and tangible momentum towards reducing city emissions by 50% by 2030,” said DCAS Commissioner Louis A. Molina. “I’m thankful to our partners at NYC Health +Hospitals and NYPA for their collaboration at Lincoln Hospital as we complete this project for the betterment of residents of Mott Haven, in addition to further projects across the city.”
“At NYC Health + Hospitals, we are proud to invest in sustainable infrastructure that not only reduces our carbon footprint, but also enhances the comfort, safety, and well-being of our patient, staff, and the communities we serve,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President of Facilities Manny Saez. “The energy efficiency upgrades at Lincoln Hospital are a strong testament to that commitment.”
“The energy efficient upgrades to NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln not only reduced the hospital’s energy requirements and carbon footprint, it also creates a more comfortable environment for our patients and staff,” said Cristina Contreras, LMSW, MPA, FABC, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln. “Investing in energy efficiency is crucial not just for reducing costs, but for also enhancing public health and ultimately fostering a healthier community.”
“The completion of the energy efficiency project at Lincoln Hospital is a testament to the City and NYPA’s shared commitment to sustainability and innovation,” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “The work performed at the site has improved the hospital’s operational efficiency and contributes to a greener, healthier future for the Bronx and for New York.”
Lincoln Hospital is a 1.2 million square foot facility that has served the surrounding Bronx communities since 1973. With 362 beds, it operates as a Level 1 trauma center and is part of the NYC Health + Hospitals system. As one of the busiest hospitals in the United States, it handles more than 168,000 emergency room visits annually. Lincoln Hospital offers a wide range of comprehensive services, including primary care, specialty clinics, intensive care units (neonatal, pediatric, and coronary), dialysis, and dedicated centers for stroke, diabetes, breast imaging, and HIV/AIDS care.
The $37 million comprehensive energy efficiency project was completed in two phases. This investment focused on upgrading the hospital’s infrastructure with extensive enhancements to the lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, and related control systems.
A total of 16,000 lighting fixtures were replaced with new high-efficiency LED technology across the facility; thirty-eight air handling units received a full range of upgrades that optimized energy usage; and wireless thermostats were installed in over 200 induction units, replacing outdated controls and enabling remote scheduling and temperature management. Additionally, 20 compromised risers serving these induction units were replaced.
The elevators throughout the hospital were also modernized with new controls, motors, and regenerative drives that capture energy. This regenerative technology lowers energy demand and minimizes thermal load in mechanical spaces. Also included was the optimization of four existing chillers with VFDs and chiller plant control integration. A new deaerator (DA) tank was installed to enhance boiler operation, and an extensive overhaul of the building management system (BMS) was completed to fully integrate, monitor, and control the facility’s mechanical systems.
These upgrades help extend equipment life, enhance indoor air quality and patient care lighting, and increase energy efficiency, which realizes utility and operational cost savings. Additionally, reducing energy consumption results in a decrease of greenhouse gas emissions and reduces Lincoln Hospital’s overall carbon footprint.
In May 2025, the energy-efficiency retrofit project at Lincoln Hospital was awarded ‘Energy Project of the Year’ at the annual DCAS Energy Recognition Ceremony. Celebrating projects for their technological innovation and energy efficiency, in addition to overall community impact and agency partnership, this project was recognized for its high degree of operational complexity to keep the hospital running during construction, as well as its long-term vision and greenhouse gas impact.
“The Lincoln Hospital energy retrofit project exemplifies the kind of ambitious, complex work needed to meet New York City’s decarbonization goals,” said NYC’s Chief Decarbonization Officer and DCAS Deputy Commissioner of Energy Management Sana Barakat. “Executing a project of this scale, while keeping a vital public hospital fully operational, required remarkable interagency coordination and technical excellence. With significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions, improved building systems, and climate resilience for a facility that serves a disadvantaged community, DCAS is proud to have supported this project, and even prouder to recognize it as 2025’s Energy Project of the Year.”
The project was made possible in partnership with DCAS’ Division of Energy Management, which provided $37 million in funding, as well as technical support. Completed as part of DCAS’ Accelerated Conservation and Efficiency (ACE) Program, this program provides funding and facilitates the implementation of energy efficiency and emission reduction projects through partnerships with city agencies. Other projects implemented through the ACE Program include solar photovoltaic (solar PV) panel installations, HVAC and building management system upgrades, and electrification of heating systems.
DCAS plays a critical role in supporting agency partners in their energy reduction and emissions goals. Projected to save over 5,300 MTCO2e and $1.5 million on energy costs each year, the Lincoln Hospital upgrade will help New York City meet its mandate to reduce emissions by 50% by 2030 through investments in thousands of efficiency projects each year. Since 2014, DCAS has contributed nearly $1.1 billion in funding across over 15,600 completed energy conservation measures, leading to a reduction of 410,000 MTCO2e — an impact equivalent to removing 89,000 cars from the road. These projects are estimated to have reduced annual energy costs by $145 million.
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 43,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln
NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, located in the South Bronx, is a 362-bed, Acute Care Level 1 Trauma Center and sees more than 168,000 emergency room visits and more than 600,000 outpatient visits annually. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Breast Imaging; Designated Stroke Center, Diabetes Center and HIV/AIDS Center. Lincoln Hospital was the first Baby-Friendly designated hospital in the Bronx, providing clinical services and consultations for over 1,500 deliveries per year. The hospital emphasizes primary care and specialty medicine, using the latest advances in medical science. Lincoln is part of NYC Health + Hospitals, the largest public health care system in the nation. For more information visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/lincoln or follow us on Instagram at www.Instagram.com/LincolnHospBX and Facebook at www.facebook.com/LincolnHosp.
About the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services
The NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) makes city government work for all New Yorkers. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the resources and support needed to succeed, including:
- Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees
- Managing 55 public buildings
- Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property
- Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies
- Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country
- Leading the City’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations
Learn more about DCAS by visiting nyc.gov/dcas or by following us on X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and listening to the Inside Citywide podcast.
About NYPA
NYPA is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.