Positive attract: research, investment and workforce development are making North Carolina's energy industry a global leader.

• Position: ENERGY ROUND TABLE

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NORTH CAROLINA'S ENERGY industry is growing. It employs more than 39,000 people, which is almost 10% more than in 2010, according to Cary-based Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Inc., and it is second in U.S. solar installation, helping it gain attention on the domestic and global stages. Business North Carolina magazine recently assembled a panel of energy experts to discuss what makes the industry such a powerful force and what it needs to stay charged.

The discussion was moderated by David Doctor, president and CEO of Charlotte-based trade group E4 Carolinas. UNC Charlotte's EPIC (Energy Production & Infrastructure Center) hosted it, and North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, Central Piedmont Community College and Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster provided support. The transcript was edited for brevity and clarity.

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GEORGE BALDWIN managing director of government relations and sustainability, Charlotte-based Piedmont Natural Gas Co.

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ELIZABETH BENNETT strategic outreach and communications manager, Charlotte-based Duke Energy Corp.

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JENNIFER BOSSER executive director, Cary-based Research Triangle Cleantech Cluster

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HENRY CAMPEN JR. partner, Raleigh office of law firm Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP

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DAVID DOCTOR president and CEO, Charlotte-based E4 Carolinas

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JOHAN ENSLIN director, Energy Production and Infrastructure Center, UNC Charlotte

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JAY POTTER Harper Campus dean, Charlotte-based Central Piedmont Community College

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IVAN URLAUB executive director, Raleigh-based North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association

HOW STRONG IS NORTH CAROLINA'S ENERGY INDUSTRY?

[URLAUB] More than 26,000 North Carolinians were employed in clean energy, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy storage, smart grid and electric vehicles in 2015. They generated almost $7 billion in revenue. The state has seen more than $6.3 billion of renewable-energy investment and a total economic impact of more than $12 billion since 2007.

[BALDWIN] The states energy industry positions it to compete for large-scale industry and projects. Those bring capital investment and better jobs, which help the entire economy. Growth is the lifeblood of utilities, and our communities won't grow without a strong energy industry. Energy is a large percentage of manufacturers' operating costs. North Carolina is an oasis of low energy prices. Manufacturers know that. The state uses it as an economic-development tool.

[BENNETT] Energy costs in North Carolina are about 20% less than the national average. Utilities helped recruit $1.2 billion of capital investment and more than 3,000 jobs to the state in 2015. Duke has connected more than 1.4 gigawatts of solar in North Carolina. That...