NCSEA and RTI International recently released the Economic Impact Analysis of Clean Energy Development in North Carolina—2023 Update Report. RTI International conducted the report to identify associated economic impacts of clean energy development (renewable energy and energy efficiency) in North Carolina and identified that, from 2007-2022, the total economic impact from clean energy and energy efficiency project development in the state totals over $59 billion throughout the last 16 years. 

The report also finds that renewable energy project investment in 2022 alone totaled $1.2 billion—41 times the $29.8 million invested in 2007—and approximately $31.3 billion was directly spent on clean energy development in North Carolina between 2007 and 2022. Notably, some of North Carolina’s most economically challenged counties are those that see the largest economic benefits from clean energy development. Duplin, Robeson, Halifax, Edgecombe, Cumberland, Northampton, and Bladen Counties each experienced more than $520 million in investment between 2007 and 2022. Additionally, more than 50 North Carolina counties experienced over $100 million in investment. View the breakdown of the major investments in renewable energy across North Carolina counties here.