FirstHealth of the Carolinas Moore Regional Hospital Central Energy Plant

HEAPY provided engineering design services for the new Central Energy Plant (CEP) at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, the flagship campus of the FirstHealth system serving 15 counties in the mid-Carolinas. This 30,000 square foot facility supports the hospital’s long-term infrastructure goals, delivering enhanced resiliency, energy efficiency, and capacity for future growth.

The new CEP features a 6,400-ton chilled water plant and 11.5MW of generator capacity, along with upgraded normal and emergency power systems, new chillers and pumps, cooling towers, and fuel storage systems. To support operational continuity, the design also addressed infrastructure connections and transitions within the existing facility, including coordination for critical utility switchovers.

The use of Lean principles allowed the team to form focused working groups dedicated to MEP systems, utility switchover planning, and project financials. These groups identified challenges early, eliminated wasteful steps, and supported effective coordination. By defining equipment specifications early in design to facilitate early procurement, the team mitigated the impact of post-pandemic supply chain delays and maintained schedule alignment.

Despite construction-phase cost pressures, the team successfully navigated financial challenges through disciplined planning and active engagement. The result is a fully integrated energy infrastructure that supports current demand while enabling FirstHealth’s continued growth and mission.

COLLABORATION

The project was delivered through an Integrated Project Delivery (IPD) approach that emphasized early collaboration and Lean planning. HEAPY and the project team worked closely with FirstHealth from the beginning, developing strong relationships that enabled clear alignment on goals, streamlined decision-making, and efficient problem-solving throughout the design and construction process.