Seattle – October 13, 2026 -- CenTrio is advancing engineering design for a 25-megawatt electric boiler at its Western Avenue plant, a project that could cut emissions by more than 60%, or about 42,000 tons a year, at maximum utilization.
The boiler will deliver roughly 85,000 pounds of steam per hour to buildings on CenTrio's Seattle district energy system. It is the first phase of the plant's decarbonization plan.
Construction is planned for 2027, with operations about two years later
CenTrio has engaged Affiliated Engineers (AEI) to complete the engineering design. It is working with Seattle City Light to secure the power the boiler requires. Construction will begin after engineering, permitting, utility coordination and final approvals are complete. The boiler is expected to be operational roughly two years after construction starts.
State Climate Commitment Act grants provide $4 million in funding
The project is backed by $4 million in grants from the Climate Commitment Act's Cap-and-Invest Program, administered by the Washington State Department of Commerce. Washington State Representative Joe Fitzgibbon said the funding is cost-effectively reducing emissions and improving air quality in downtown Seattle, which he described as the densest place in the state.
CenTrio says the boiler will give it operational flexibility to balance emissions reductions against customer affordability.
District-scale approach targets lower capital cost per ton abated
CenTrio argues that decarbonizing at district level beats building-by-building retrofits in three ways:
- Lower capital costs per ton of carbon dioxide abated.
- Less burden on the electric utility to expand network capacity.
- Opportunities for large-scale thermal energy storage that can reduce peak demand and provide demand-response capability.
Steam system serves 140 buildings, including three major hospitals
The Seattle steam system currently serves 140 buildings in the greater Seattle area, including three major hospitals. Ian Goepferd, Vice President and General Manager of CenTrio – Seattle, said customers can access low-carbon steam without major individual retrofits, avoiding significant costs and building disruption. He added that new customer buildings will gain access to a low-carbon steam option in the future.
The Seattle project adds to CenTrio's portfolio, which already includes the nation's largest net-zero district cooling system in downtown Chicago and one of the country's largest sewer heat recovery systems in Denver.