Serco Group lands $320m deal to power up US Space Force’s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland

Serco Group, a leading provider of public services, has been awarded a substantial contract by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to manage the modernization of the backup electrical plant at the US Space Force‘s Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. This four-year contract, which began in August 2024, is valued at approximately $320 million (£250 million).

Pituffik Space Base, formerly known as Thule Air Base, is the northernmost US military installation, strategically located 750 miles inside the Arctic Circle. The base plays a crucial role in missile warning, missile defense, and space surveillance missions, supporting the operations of Space Delta 4 and Space Delta 2, key components of the US Space Force and North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).

Serco’s involvement in this project is particularly critical due to the extreme Arctic conditions that make maintaining a reliable power supply at the base both challenging and essential. The modernization efforts will include constructing a temporary backup power plant while significant upgrades are made to the existing facility. This project aims to enhance the resilience and stability of the base’s electrical network, ensuring uninterrupted power supply crucial for its defense missions.

Mark Irwin, Group Chief Executive of Serco, highlighted the importance of this project, stating, “This contract award builds on Serco’s strong capabilities in systems design and installation, as well as our exemplary past performance on defense construction projects. We are delighted to have the opportunity to support this large, mission-critical upgrade project for the US Space Force and Army Corps of Engineers. We recognize the impact of our work in ensuring mission-critical readiness is maintained for this pivotal location.”

Serco’s track record of managing large-scale defense projects and its collaboration with Aarsleff, a Danish construction firm experienced in Arctic conditions, positions the company to effectively meet the challenges posed by the harsh environment of Pituffik Space Base. This project is part of a broader initiative by the US military to prioritize infrastructure improvements at its northernmost facilities, reflecting the strategic importance of the Arctic region in global defense.