Eighty years ago, farmers founded electric cooperatives like Union Power, and we continue to work closely with our state’s agricultural industry to build a brighter future for our rural communities. National Ag Day is March 23, but we are thankful every day to serve our agricultural members by helping them improve efficiency and achieve sustainability goals.

With this in mind, Union Power and the rest of North Carolina’s electric cooperatives recently developed a new initiative called BEST Solutions. This initiative offers a wide range of customized electric tools and technologies related to Beneficial Electrification (BE) and Sustainable Technologies (ST) that can meet the needs of agricultural, commercial, and industrial businesses.

Using electricity instead of fossil fuels – what we call beneficial electrification – can yield benefits that include cost savings, higher productivity, and reduced emissions.

New electric technologies are emerging rapidly and are making processes, devices, and equipment cheaper, smarter, and cleaner than ever. Using electricity instead of fossil fuels – what we call beneficial electrification – can yield benefits that include cost savings, higher productivity, and reduced emissions. Examples include electric irrigation, electric equipment like forklifts, transportation refrigeration units, and indoor agriculture.

Sustainable technologies are also growing in popularity as many farms and businesses strive to meet clean energy goals. We can apply our expertise and resources to help you adopt the right technologies to meet your needs. Increased demand for low-carbon energy sources and a decline in the cost of solar and energy technologies are creating more options for businesses interested in utilizing diverse power sources. Potential sustainable technology solutions include solar power and energy storage devices, microgrids that integrate renewable and conventional generation sources, and Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) programs.

All these technologies and solutions play a part in achieving our vision of a Brighter Future for the people, businesses, and communities we serve. This vision includes a voluntary goal of reducing our carbon emissions by 50% from 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, along with a continued commitment to delivering reliable, affordable electricity, investing in innovative solutions and technologies, and enriching our local communities.

Thank you again to our farmers and agricultural members for the vital ways you support our daily lives. We are proud to serve you and look forward to continuing to partner with you to enhance your operations and our communities.