The North Carolina Department of Adult Correction has launched a solar energy project at Tabor Correctional Institution to support the state's sustainability goals. The ceremony introduced a 500 kilowatt solar array, part of Gov. Cooper's Executive Order 80 aimed at reducing the state's Energy Use Index. This initiative is a collaboration among the Department of Adult Correction, Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation, Schneider Electric, and North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation, according to the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
Josh Winslow, CEO of BEMC, emphasized the project's teamwork. "This project is a testament to the power of collaboration," he said, "By listening to the needs of the members we serve and engaging with partners, we are delivering a solution that can be a new model for solar energy in North Carolina government." The project also includes a $38.7 million Guaranteed Energy Savings Performance Contract. This contract will fund significant energy efficiency upgrades at six state correctional facilities, which are expected to save over $60 million in energy costs over 20 years, as reported by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
The contract includes several key components beyond solar arrays, such as adopting electric vehicles to replace gas-powered patrol vehicles, installing electric vehicle charging stations, enhancing water systems, and providing specialized training for staff and inmates. The project aims for 17 percent participation from local and minority-owned businesses. Speakers at the groundbreaking ceremony included North Carolina Department of Adult Correction Secretary Todd Ishee, Tabor Correctional Institution Warden Jamie Bullard, and Schneider Electric Program Manager Graham Lewis. Ishee noted, "This energy performance contract is one of the largest energy efficiency efforts in North Carolina government history, and one of the most significant in terms of solar energy." The project aims to improve operational efficiency and promote environmental responsibility, as stated by the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction.
