ROCKVILLE, MD-Lockheed Martin is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to increase energy efficiency through data center consolidation and information technology enhancements for the DOE complex.

This is the first ever Federal Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) focused solely on reaching sustainability goals through improved IT practices. In 2010, President Obama announced an effort to close more than 800 government data centers by 2015 in order to save taxpayers an estimated $3 billion.

"Lockheed Martin has a record of implementing energy efficient IT enhancements at the DOE's Hanford site and we are excited to bring these best practices across the department," says Greg Caplan, senior manager for Energy Performance Contracting, Lockheed Martin Information Systems & Global Solutions – Civil. "Together we have proven that sustainable IT practices, such as data center consolidation, virtualization and cloud computing, can help federal agencies reach their sustainability goals and save money for citizens."

Following an assessment and audit at the designated sites, Lockheed Martin will design and construct projects that meet the sites' energy and IT needs and arrange financing to pay for them. Projects under this program are required to generate savings sufficient to cover annual financing cost and generate positive annual cash flow to the government after financing costs.

"Energy Savings Performance Contracts are a way to deliver budget-neutral energy efficiency project to government agencies." Caplan said. "As our customer's are challenged to reach sustainability targets under immense budget pressures, and we hope to share and replicate this model as a way to get there and improve IT infrastructure in the process."

Lockheed Martin was selected by the Department of Energy in 2008 as one of 16 companies chosen to compete for task orders under its Super Energy Savings Performance Contract. In addition, the Corporation is a leader in IT, energy efficiency, smart grid and cyber security programs across the government and the energy industry.