News Summary
Blue Ridge Power, a solar engineering firm, will lay off 517 employees in Asheville and Fayetteville as it winds down operations. The layoffs, completing by November 18, include 348 positions in Fayetteville and 169 in Asheville. Founded in 2021, the company has faced challenges with federal policy changes impacting the renewable energy sector, leading to these significant job cuts amid broader industry struggles.
Asheville, North Carolina—Blue Ridge Power to Lay Off 517 Employees Amid Business Wind-Down
Blue Ridge Power, a solar engineering, procurement, and construction company, has announced plans to lay off 517 employees in Asheville and Fayetteville, North Carolina, as part of its decision to close operations. The layoffs are scheduled to be completed by November 18, marking a significant reduction in the company’s workforce in the state.
Details of the Layoffs
The layoffs include 348 positions in Fayetteville and 169 in Asheville. The reductions are part of a broader business winding-down process by Blue Ridge Power, which was founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Pine Gate Renewables. The company filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) letter with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to formally notify authorities and employees of the impending layoffs.
Company Background and Context
Blue Ridge Power was established in 2021 and has built around 7 gigawatts of solar infrastructure across 14 states, including projects under construction. Prior to the layoffs, the company’s website listed more than 700 employees, though the current reduction represents a significant workforce decrease. The company’s parent, Pine Gate Renewables, was founded in 2016, employs roughly 300 workers, and has invested over $7 billion in project financing and capital. With more than 100 solar facilities in operation, Pine Gate has an installed capacity of over 2 gigawatts and is developing an additional 30 gigawatts of solar projects.
The Business Challenges and Industry Context
Blue Ridge Power stated that “factors beyond its control,” including evolving regulatory and capital market environments, have impacted its operations. Changes in federal policies, particularly the termination of subsidies for wind and solar projects under legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill, have contributed to the challenges facing renewable energy companies like Blue Ridge Power.
The decision to phase out operations is also set against the broader industry backdrop, with the company citing market headwinds affecting the entire renewable energy industry. The company has indicated ongoing assessments regarding support for remaining projects, which may include transferring projects to other engineering, procurement, and construction providers.
Impacts and Additional Information
The layoffs represent one of two mass layoffs anticipated in North Carolina in 2025 involving more than 500 workers. The other notable layoff was at Daimler Truck North America, which cut 577 jobs. The job cuts in Fayetteville account for about two-thirds of the total layoffs and occur in a city with a population of over 200,000 residents located approximately 60 miles south of Raleigh.
It is important to note that Blue Ridge Power workers are not part of a union. The company’s decision to wind down operations indicates strategic shifts within the renewable energy sector driven by external economic and policy factors.
Future Outlook and Support
While the layoffs mark a significant reduction in employment levels, Blue Ridge Power has stated that it will continue to evaluate and support ongoing projects, potentially involving transitions to other EPC providers (engineering, procurement, and construction firms) in the industry.
Summary of Key Facts
- Blue Ridge Power will lay off 517 employees in Asheville and Fayetteville, North Carolina; scheduled to be completed by November 18.
- The layoffs include 348 positions in Fayetteville and 169 positions in Asheville.
- Blue Ridge Power was founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Pine Gate Renewables, which was established in 2016.
- The company has built around 7 gigawatts of solar infrastructure across 14 states.
- Prior to layoffs, the company listed over 700 employees on its website.
- Pine Gate Renewables has invested over $7 billion in project financing, with more than 100 solar facilities and over 2 gigawatts of installed capacity.
- Challenges cited include evolving regulatory environments and market headwinds affecting the entire renewable industry.
- The federal policy changes, including the elimination of subsidies for wind and solar projects, have influenced the company’s decision to wind down operations.
- This is one of two large layoffs in North Carolina in 2025, with Daimler Truck North America also cutting over 500 jobs.
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Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
