Serco Inc. secures $323-m contract for power upgrades at U.S. Arctic space base

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No one from Serco responded to a request for comment before deadline, but in a statement, Chief Executive Officer in North America Tom Watson said the project would build on the company’s past defence project experience.

Serco is proud to have the opportunity to support this mission-critical large-scale system upgrade project for the US Army Corps of Engineers and US Space Force, he said. We recognize the impact of our work in ensuring mission critical readiness is maintained for this pivotal location.

Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, is the northernmost military installation of the United States, located 750 miles north of the Arctic Circle on Greenland’s northwestern coast.

Originally focused on missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance, the base now supports space-based missions and features a deep-water port and a 10,000-foot runway.

Following the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in 2019, which is tasked with protecting American and allied interests in space, the base was redesignated as a Space Force installation in 2023 as part of a broader realignment of Air Force bases under the new space-focused branch.

Serco’s four-year contract will involve constructing a temporary backup power plant while the existing facility undergoes significant upgrades.

Maintaining a reliable power supply is crucial at the base due to the challenges posed by its extreme location and harsh winter conditions.

Serco’s involvement in the project is aimed at enhancing the resilience of the base’s power infrastructure, which is essential for the uninterrupted functioning of its defense missions. The company will collaborate with Aarsleff, a Danish construction firm experienced in Arctic projects, to execute the upgrades.

The company’s statement, noted the importance of maintaining mission readiness at the base, but did not elaborate on specific challenges or strategies for the Arctic conditions.

This contract follows previous work Serco has done at Pituffik and other Department of Defense locations, as the U.S. military continues to prioritize infrastructure improvements at its northernmost facilities.