Celebrating 50 Years:
The energy behind what’s next
Most people recall 1969 as the year the United States put a man on the moon. TECO likes to remember it as the year district cooling and heating were born on the Texas Medical Center (TMC) campus.
Houston Natural Gas was the district energy system’s original owner, beginning plant and piping construction in 1968 and full operation in 1969. The system expanded almost immediately, in 1970 and 1972, and has continued to grow through the decades.
In 1978, the Texas Medical Center and numerous member institutions acquired the system from Houston Natural Gas. TECO, then known as Thermal Energy Cooperative, took over ownership and system operation.
In 2019, the system celebrated its 50th anniversary, one year after TECO marked 40 years of system ownership in 2018.
Scroll below to learn how the district energy system – and TECO – have grown since chilled water and steam service began in 1969.