Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus announced the winners of the annual Energy and Water Management Awards Oct. 15 and Naval Station Rota received the Gold Level of Achievement for having an outstanding water and energy program.

The SECNAV Energy Awards annually recognize outstanding commitment to energy and water management by Navy and Marine Corps installations, ships and squadrons. The criteria used to select winners included a review of energy projects and energy awareness programs, energy base practices and reviewing the energy consumption performance of an installation from the last four years.

According to Mabus, energy is critical to the Navy's ability to provide the global presence necessary to ensure stability, deter potential adversaries and provide the country options in times of crisis wherever and whenever they might arise.

"Improving our energy culture remains a top priority," said Mabus. "The fiscal year 2016 award recipients set the standard for our Navy and Marine Corps team and are driving changes within the service that will ensure our future mission success. I encourage all commanders to look to the accomplishments of our award winners and identify ways that your commands can use energy to its greatest effect."

The three biggest energy-saving projects that helped Naval Station Rota achieve the gold level were installing light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs in hundreds of structures throughout the installation, installing solar-thermal panels in 24 different locations and replacing heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems with more energy-efficient models.

"The various energy projects at Naval Station Rota have helped us a lot," said Lt. Tyson Baca, Naval Station Rota's installation energy manager. "Per square foot, Naval Station Rota uses less energy than any other base in the region."

Naval Station Rota started tracking their water and energy usage in 2003 and since then, energy usage has decreased by 51 percent, well surpassing President Obama's goal of 30 percent.

"Energy and water conservation is a key initiative of President Obama's and the Secretary of the Navy," said Baca. "It's important to a lot of senior leaders and what we're really trying to do is change the culture. We've done a lot of great projects that's helped us succeed in a 51 percent reduction. We need everybody, each department, each building manager, to take the leadership initiative and decrease their energy usage."

Last year, Naval Station Rota spent $23 million on electricity and $3 million on water. The more we conserve energy and water, the less we will be spent and base leadership can put it towards other items, like our ships, shore facilities or other mission-oriented items. There's a long list of benefits that come from conserving water and energy, according to Baca.

Rota was not the only installation in the Europe, Africa, Southwest Asia (EURAFSWA) region to receive honors from SECNAV. Naval Station Souda Bay was appointed the overall winner for all small shore installations. They will receive $25,000 to contribute to their energy and water management program and be authorized to fly the SECNAV Energy Flag for a one-year period.

Naval Station Rota enables and supports operations of U.S. and allied forces and provides quality services in support of the fleet, fighter, and family for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Navy Region EURAFSWA.

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