Energy Opportunities Discussed During Community Leader Focus Groups
“What are the challenges and opportunities associated with clean and renewable energy projects coming to North Carolina?”
“Is North Carolina’s workforce prepared for the influx of energy jobs coming to the state?”
“What are communities doing to make energy more affordable?”
These were some of the many energy-related questions staff with the Institute for Emerging Issues (IEI) asked local leaders during a series of regional focus groups in August, with the goal of learning more about the challenges faced by communities and solutions with potential for replication throughout North Carolina. Focus group participants included representatives from K-12 and higher education, the energy industry, local government, nonprofit/advocacy organizations, the business sector and more. IEI staff will use the information gathered at these meetings to shape the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum, Future Forward Energy.
On Aug. 1, IEI staff met with leaders in Pittsboro to discuss workforce development efforts in Chatham and Randolph counties resulting from an influx of energy jobs to the region and the increasing population. Among the many challenges and solutions discussed, attendees noted the need for a clear workforce pipeline to sustain the influx of these new jobs, a need to increase engagement with underrepresented workers to support their awareness of incoming opportunities, and the need to increase the security of the local energy infrastructure.
On Aug. 13, the team traveled to Aulander to meet with leaders from Northeastern North Carolina to discuss how local communities are implementing innovative solutions to make energy more affordable for households. Some of the challenges discussed included the rural nature of the region resulting in limited renewable energy contractors and higher costs associated with equipment and installation, aging housing that requires costly renovations to support energy efficiency upgrades, and a lack of awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and efficiency upgrades. Participants discussed public-private partnerships that have successfully supported families struggling to pay their energy bills, new programs aimed at preparing for rising energy costs and successful methods to engage with local residents.
At the final meeting in Asheville on Aug. 20, IEI met with multi-sector leaders from Western North Carolina to discuss expanding renewable energy access, the impact of incoming renewable energy projects to the power grid, community perceptions of these projects and the programs initiated to ensure their success. Attendees discussed the barriers to expanding renewable energy caused by the mountainous topography of the region, community pushback and the shortage of skilled renewable energy workers in the area. Participants discussed training and certification opportunities in place at local community colleges that are preparing workers for these jobs, high school apprenticeship programs and other initiatives that are giving students and residents the ability to engage with emerging energy technologies.
Read the full key takeaways from the meetings here.
About the 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy
North Carolina faces significant opportunities and challenges when it comes to ensuring reliable and affordable electricity in the coming decades. Increases in demand driven by population growth, an influx of new and expanding businesses into the state and the ongoing electrification of the transportation sector are placing tremendous strains on an aging electrical grid. The 2025 Emerging Issues Forum: Future Forward Energy will focus on how best to meet these challenges while ensuring that our state remains a desirable place to live, work and play. The forum will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, in Raleigh.
