NAVFAC Atlantic awards contract to modernize Norfolk Naval Shipyard electrical infrastructure

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Atlantic (NAVFAC Atlantic) awarded a $96.3 million contract Sept. 18 to MEB General Contractors Inc. of Chesapeake, Virginia, for electrical distribution system upgrades at Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia.

The contract supports military construction Project P732, Electrical Distribution System Upgrades (Gosport Substation Only), a foundational utility project within the Navy’s Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP). Work is expected to be completed by September 2032.

Project P732 will modernize the Gosport Substation to provide the high-voltage electrical infrastructure needed to support current shipyard operations, planned modernization and future growth. The improvements are designed to increase electrical capacity while strengthening the reliability, resilience and flexibility of the system supporting Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s industrial mission.

“We are very excited to get started on investing in much-needed electrical capacity and resiliency improvements at Norfolk Naval Shipyard,” said Matt Morris, SIOP department director at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. “This project will deliver reliable power to the shipyard to meet both current and evolving fleet needs. This will ensure the shipyard workforce can do what they need to do — maintain and modernize our aircraft carriers and submarines and return them back to the fleet where they belong.”

Reliable, high-capacity electrical power is essential to the complex industrial work performed throughout the shipyard. Dry dock pumps, heavy cranes, industrial machinery, shipboard systems and modernized facilities all depend on consistent, high-quality power. Electrical demand is also increasing as facilities are modernized and newer naval platforms rely more heavily on electricity and electronic systems.

Project P732 will replace obsolete primary transformers and switchgear with modern equipment and connect the upgraded Gosport Substation to the shipyard’s existing electrical distribution system. The improvements are designed to increase electrical capacity while strengthening the reliability and resilience of the infrastructure supporting shipyard operations.

“Project P732 more than doubles the electrical capacity for NSA Portsmouth to support upgraded facilities and new naval platforms,” said Christopher Krus, NAVFAC Atlantic’s Project P732 project manager. “These buildings and ships have an ever-increasing reliance on electricity as legacy steam power is phased out. The project improves reliability and resilience for this critical element of Navy ships’ major maintenance and repair, supporting safe and efficient industrial operations.”

Krus also cited coordination with Dominion Energy Virginia as an important part of improving electrical capacity, power quality, efficiency and controls while upgrading the system to current industry standards and providing flexibility for future growth and expansion.

The project will also modernize the shipyard’s existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The system provides personnel with visibility into electrical distribution and helps them monitor and manage the flow of power. Modernizing SCADA will replace legacy controls and improve the Navy’s ability to oversee and manage the electrical system.

Additional improvements incorporate elevated flood protection and other measures designed to improve the resilience of critical electrical infrastructure against coastal environmental conditions.

Dependable electrical infrastructure directly supports personnel conducting complex maintenance, repair and modernization work. Stable power is necessary for precision tools, heavy industrial equipment, temporary shipboard systems and other capabilities required for production and waterfront operations.

“Resilient shore utilities are the bedrock of naval readiness, powering the dry docks and industrial shops that maintain the nation’s combat fleet,” said Keith R. Barbish, SIOP program director.

Project P732 is part of SIOP, the Navy’s long-term effort to modernize infrastructure at its four public shipyards and ensure they can support the maintenance requirements of the current and future fleet. At Norfolk Naval Shipyard, modernizing foundational utilities provides the capacity and flexibility needed to support improved facilities, advanced industrial capabilities and evolving naval platforms.

Investments in resilient shore infrastructure support the Navy’s ability to maintain and modernize nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines and return them to the fleet. By modernizing the underlying utility systems that enable shipyard operations, Project P732 supports Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s long-term industrial capability, fleet readiness and the Navy’s national defense mission.

Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command is the Navy’s facilities and expeditionary systems command, delivering the planning, design, construction, sustainment and environmental services that support Fleet readiness, warfighter capability and shore infrastructure resilience worldwide.

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