South Carolina is positioning itself as a leader in America’s clean energy manufacturing boom. According to a recent analysis by ICF, a global consulting firm, new investments spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act would create nearly 20,000 jobs in South Carolina annually through 2035. These jobs span multiple sectors, with the transportation, manufacturing, and building sectors in the lead. The study, commissioned by the American Clean Power Association, shows the state’s clean energy sector is poised to inject $32 billion into the local economy over the next decade.
According to the American Clean Power Association, 5,700 South Carolinians are already employed in clean power jobs, and more positions are opening regularly. The state is demonstrating how clean energy investment translates into tangible economic benefits. As companies continue to announce new facilities and expansion projects, South Carolina’s position as a clean energy manufacturing hub will strengthen in the coming years.
Companies like Scout Motors and Silfab Solar have already announced significant investments in the Palmetto State. They will contribute to ICF’s estimate of an impressive $64 billion in total spending resulting from such investments in American energy infrastructure over the next decade. Additionally, they will generate an additional $14 billion in income for South Carolinians.
Debra Phillips, President and CEO of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA), explained in a press release, “This study underscores the Inflation Reduction Act’s pivotal role in increasing our domestic manufacturing capabilities to accelerate our economic growth and modernize and electrify our nation’s infrastructure to meet growing energy demand. NEMA’s members have already made $12 billion in investments to date around the country to strengthen domestic manufacturing.”
The transformation is already visible. Current clean energy projects in the state can power 265,000 homes, with capacity growing as new investments come online. For South Carolina’s workforce and economy, the clean energy sector is proving to be a powerful engine of growth.
Property tax revenues from clean energy projects, totaling $10.7 million annually, provide a steady income stream for local communities. Additionally, farmers and landowners benefit from $9.1 million in annual land lease payments for hosting clean energy projects, creating drought-proof income streams for rural communities.
The state’s success isn’t limited to manufacturing, though. According to Climate Central, South Carolina leads the nation in heat pump technology investments, with $6.3 billion flowing into this efficient heating and cooling solution between 2018 and June 2024. This leadership in heat pump adoption has created even more jobs.
