Alternative Energy

Southeastern North Carolina is becoming a rich area for emerging and diversified energy companies. Examples of alternative energy development include bio-fuels – the state’s first large-scale ethanol production facility will be operational in early 2010 – bio-mass and animal waste regeneration; solar panel and wind turbine component manufacturing; and solar panel fields. DuPont is investing in a new plant to make tedlar, a film backing for solar panels, and GE is underway with nuclear energy research and development and component manufacturing. Initial research into wind energy development off the coast of North Carolina is also underway. 

Alternative Energy Assets

For Power Producers

  • NC requires renewable energy sources in its supply.  NC is one of just a few states in the US that has a legislative renewable energy mandate.  The NC Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard (REPS) requires that NC utilities must have a percentage of their retail sales come from renewable energy sources by specific dates – up to 12.5% by 2021. 
  • NC’s Southeast has the resources to fuel these needs, including a substantial existing biomass supply structure, one of the largest volumes of swine and chicken waste in the US, some of the best wind volumes in NC and ample solar and hydro potential.  The Region is fast becoming the center of renewable energy production in NC because of our significant physical resources.  Already, the Region is home to several renewable power producers.
  • Regional utility Progress Energy is focused on supporting the mandate

Progress Energy has developed a balanced solution to future power supply.  Their goal is to save 2000 MW of traditional capacity need with increased energy efficiency, investments in renewable energy resources and other alternative energy technologies, as well as upgrading existing power plants.  They will invest in traditional resources only when necessary.  The company also has an extensive 230kV and 115 kV transmission line system throughout the region to move the power to market. 

For Manufacturers of Renewable Energy Products

The Southeast Region is the location of many existing industries and research efforts to develop future renewable energy resources.  The State of NC has leveraged its well-known capability to transfer R&D from educational institutions to the commercial sector through non-profit organizations. 

  • The renewable energy mandate in NC gives NC companies a ready-made marketplace for cutting edge energy technology commercialization.More than 900 companies currently participate in the renewable energy supply chain in NC (NC Commerce)Skilled and productive workforce
    • In 2008 NC had an estimated 63,000 green jobs, including 14,000 in recycling and 25,000 in environmental services. (NC Green Economy Resources Directory, NC Commerce)
    • NC’s Southeast power plants
      • 25 facilities, employing 1750 people, average weekly wage $1864 (NCESC 2009)
      • 230 power plant operators, average hourly wage $28.57 (NCESC 2009)
  • Access – to raw materials and markets
    • Major transportation routes I-95, I-40, I-73/74, US 17, US 421, US 15/501, US 401, US 701 – and many miles of secondary roads
    • Port of Wilmington and planned NC International Terminal
    • Several waters navigable for barge access - Intracoastal Waterway, Cape Fear River, Northeast Cape Fear River, Lumber River

Renewable Energy Sources

  • Solar
    • According to the NC Solar Center, a rooftop 2 kW photovoltaic system in Wilmington will produce an average of 3354 kWh per year.

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NORTH CAROLINA'S SOUTHEAST
The Regional Economic Development Marketing Organization For Southeastern North Carolina
707 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 2556, Elizabethtown, NC 28337
Phone: 800-787-1333 Fax: 910-862-1482
 
 
 
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