“The MBTA has increased its focus on energy management, with a specific eye toward energy conservation as well as developing new renewable energy projects,” General Manager Frank DePaola said in a statement. “We understand the important role the T plays in the Commonwealth’s energy management and conservation efforts.”

New wind turbines, efficient lighting systems, and careful contract management will help the MBTA reduce energy costs by 12.8 percent over the next year, officials estimated Thursday.

The T is installing energy-efficient systems at more than 80 facilities, according to a statement. A majority of these are lighting upgrades at locations such as the Dudley Square bus station. Upgrades are also being made to the third rail and track switch heaters, said Michael Donaghy, the MBTA’s manager of energy efficiency.


The authority also plans to save money by generating electricity from wind turbines in Kingston and Bridgewater. The Kingston turbine is running; the Bridgewater location is set to open early next year, Donaghy said.

Over the next five years, Donaghy said, the MBTA expects to save $25 million by properly negotiating and managing contracts for wholesale energy.

“We think that this will . . . give us an opportunity to properly manage our utility cost . . . and allocate our costs properly,” Donaghy said.

Energy consumption will be measured through an upgraded software system, Donaghy said. The program will “capture and centralize all of our utility consumption.”