Providing competitive, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy solutions

SBC Energy is based in a 35,274 square foot power plant built in 1910 as part of the original American Optical Complex. SBC Energy provides all the utilities necessary to support the Southbridge Innovation Center, inclusive of tenanted spaces, common areas, and vacant spaces.

SBC Energy was formed in 2014 and acquired all existing equipment at the American Optical Complex power plant that same year. SBC Energy has the right to redevelop and operate the Southbridge Innovation Center’s power plant, controls the Center’s utility infrastructure, and is the sole supplier of all utilities to the Center’s building owners and tenants. 

In 2017, SBC Energy installed a combined heat power (CHP) system, or co‑generation system, at the power plant. The co‑generation plant supplies clean energy to the Southbridge Innovation Center by simultaneously generating electricity and useable heat from a single fuel source. It then captures carbon emissions from the electricity generation process and uses those emissions for heating and cooling purposes. The new system provides electricity, steam, and hot and chilled water to all tenanted spaces and common areas at the Southbridge Innovation Center.