Leading North Carolina’s Energy Transition 

Energy generation is not new to us. We’ve been helping power North Carolina for more than five decades, taking great pride in our work, while building a local community and economy to support it. 

Now that the state is transitioning to new forms of energy generation, Person County has all the components necessary to make the state’s energy transition both timely and affordable. We have the energy workforce, the know-how, the real estate, and transmission infrastructure already built – combined with a genuine willingness to meet the challenge. That means we’re ready to help implement North Carolina’s clean energy transition today. 

And that’s good news for a high-growth state that must increase generation capacity now to meet North Carolina’s ever-increasing energy needs. 
 
Person County is ready to help transform the existing energy generation sites and implement North Carolina’s plan for cleaner energy. 

Advancing Person County’s Impact  

In 2021, the State of North Carolina passed House Bill 951 to direct a clean energy transition. The North Carolina Utilities Commission was directed to take all reasonable steps to reduce carbon emissions.  

As part of this direction, Duke Energy has committed to closing all its coal plants by 2035. Two of those plants are here in Person County. As part of this direction, Person County must navigate the transition from coal to cleaner energy.  

Our county has played an outsized role fueling North Carolina's growth through the Roxboro and Mayo coal-fired power plants. Both plants generate enough power to meet nearly 12 percent or more of North Carolina’s current energy needs—but these coal plants will be sunset by 2033. Duke Energy has proposed plans to construct two new, hydrogen-capable natural gas units as part of a new chapter for the Roxboro Plant and Person County. 

Equipping Person County’s Workforce 

Piedmont Community College is dedicated to nurturing a workforce ready for the energy transition challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. With a focus on the growing field of electrical power production, the college ensures that its students not only grasp the fundamentals of electricity, but also acquire essential business and information technology knowledge. With a required internship component embedded in degree programs, Piedmont Community College ensures graduates are not only well educated, but also hands on, contributing to the workforce that will shape the county's energy landscape for years to come. 

Spurring Person County’s Opportunities  

Person County isn't just a place on a map. It's where our roots run deep. Person County is the economic pulse of our region, playing an important role in ensuring a reliable power source for millions throughout North Carolina. Providing that dependable power will advance economic opportunities locally and beyond.  

Additional Detail  

The North Carolina Utilities Commission is currently reviewing a statewide Carbon Plan to oversee the state’s clean energy transition, in which Person County is an intervener.  

More information about Duke Energy’s plans in Person County is available here.

More information about the North Carolina Utilities Commission and its Carbon Plan process is available here.