Energy and Water Conservation Program

The Energy and Water Conservation program establishes and maintains data to measure the County’s energy and water use and is working toward the goal of 100% clean, renewable energy by 2040. 

The Energy and Water Conservation program collaborates with County departments and community partners to develop effective conservation projects and programs across the county.

Pinellas County’s Downtown Central Energy Plant generates and delivers chilled water through an underground piping network to provide energy efficient air conditioning to several County buildings. The plant is currently saving the County more than $1.5 million in annual operating costs.

The Energy and Water Conservation Program determined the County saved 1.9 million kilowatt-hours and nearly $129,000 per year by replacing high-pressure sodium streetlight bulbs with LED fixtures.

Pinellas County is replacing the Young-Rainey Science Technology and Research (STAR) Center’s current 900-ton chiller — a machine used to lower the temperature of industrial spaces — with a new, more energy efficient chiller that will reduce energy use and costs as well as secure a rebate from Duke Energy.

In March 2023, the program performed an energy audit of the Pinellas County Courthouse to create a roadmap for making the facility more energy efficient.