Powering the Future: How Greenville, SC Is Leading America’s Energy Revolution

Clint Davis

With demand for electricity growing day by day, communities and governments are constantly looking for solutions to help keep the lights on from the country’s countless energy technology companies. While Greenville may be known for many things – its unparalleled lifestyle and beautiful scenery – many people might be surprised to learn that it has been a bastion for the energy sector for many decades. Thanks to initiatives supported by the South Carolina government and its partners, this is a distinction the region is sure to hold for many years yet.

The Big Boom

The Upstate has long been an energy-sector leader thanks to the likes of GE Vernova Inc., a spinoff of General Electric. The company, in both its current and former forms, has manufactured gas turbines in this region of the state for over 50 years. GE Vernova’s gas power manufacturing plant, where the turbines are built, is one of the largest of its type in the company’s portfolio and has become a core part of the eastern Greenville community.

“Many families have multiple generations who have worked at our facility. That continuity creates an incredible foundation of experience and pride in the work,” says Shane Long, vice president of Gas Power Global Supply Chain at GE Vernova

It should come as no surprise that the gas turbines manufactured at GE Vernova’s plant have a connection to the AI boom. The high demand for electricity-hungry AI clients has put a strain on power grids, causing utility providers to look for options to fill the energy production gap. Many of these providers are choosing to make use of gas turbines like those manufactured by GE Vernova’s in the Upstate for one simple reason. Long explains: “…because they can provide large amounts of dependable electricity quickly and efficiently.”

In January 2025, GE Vernova’s announced a $160 million investment into its Greenville plant, funds that will be used to build out hydrogen-fuel testing capabilities, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the Greenville area. “Demand for electricity is growing, and the technologies needed to meet that demand will continue to evolve. Greenville is uniquely positioned to help lead that future because of the talent, expertise and manufacturing capabilities that already exist here,” Long says.

Venturing Out

The Upstate’s role in America’s energy sector is being turbocharged by the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Exchange (or eiX), an initiative of the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s SC NEXUS for Advanced Resilient Energy consortium.

As a statewide network spanning academia, utilities, government and industry, SC NEXUS’s goal is to “build a thriving energy ecosystem that attracts investment, creates high-quality jobs and positions South Carolina as a national leader in advanced energy innovation,” says Cristina Paredes, the executive director of SC NEXUS.

SC NEXUS

The consortium, which originally covered only part of the state, earned a prestigious designation in 2023 as one of only 31 U.S. Tech Hubs selected by the U.S. Economic Development Administration. The Upstate’s unique capabilities were vital to securing this federal recognition.

“In an industry where reliability, security and scalability are essential, the region’s collaborative approach helps bridge the gap between innovation and deployment,” Long says.

Launched in February 2026 through a partnership between SC NEXUS and the South Carolina Research Authority, eiX quickly debuted the eiX Venture Studio alongside NextGEN, a Greenville-based founder support organization. The Venture Studio’s primary mission is to connect energy tech entrepreneurs with the vital partners and customers they need to scale.

“A lot of founders don’t fail because of bad technology. They fail because they struggle to access the right networks at the right time. That’s the gap this program is designed to help close,” says Eric Weissmann, executive director of NextGEN.

Backed by these robust regional initiatives, Greenville is well-positioned to drive energy innovation for generations.