Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

What Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation does

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative founded in 1939 and headquartered in Supply, North Carolina. It is the 2nd-largest electric cooperative in North Carolina and the 35th largest in the United States, distributing electricity to approximately 90,000 residential and commercial members across a four-county service territory in southeastern NC (primarily Brunswick and Columbus counties). BEMC operates and maintains 7,003 miles of power line — more than half buried underground — through three district offices (Supply, Whiteville, Southport/Oak Island), and serves members via the SmartHub web/mobile portal, an IVR-based phone system, and a 24/7 outage management workflow.

The cooperative's product portfolio spans core distribution services, energy-savings programs, and renewable infrastructure. Core offerings include electric service on residential and commercial rate schedules (Rates 6 and 10), a Time-of-Use / Off-Peak Advantage pricing tier, the Connect to Save smart-thermostat demand-response program ($50 upfront + $4/month bill credit), and the Beat the Peak voluntary demand-reduction initiative. Clean-energy assets include 950+ residential solar installations with net metering, two community solar farms (Bolivia and Chadbourn), a utility-scale battery energy storage system integrated at the Bolivia substation as part of a 40 MW/10-substation statewide NC co-op initiative, 8 publicly available Level II ChargePoint EV charging stations, and participation in NC GreenPower. BEMC also administers community programs including Bright Ideas education grants (~$800K cumulative since 1994), Community Grants (~$748K since 2003), scholarships, and the Warm Homes Warm Hearts utility-assistance program (>$1M since 2008).

BEMC's business model is at-cost distribution: a regulated electric cooperative with NCUC-approved rate schedules, monthly subscription billing, capital-credit allocations returned to members, and no external shareholders. Revenue derives from recurring monthly electric service (residential and commercial Rate 6/Rate 10), community-solar subscriptions ($3.50/month or $537 per panel), energy-efficiency loans (up to $10,000 at 5% APR), demand-response bill credits, residential rebates ($150-$600), and ancillary fees. The cooperative is governed by a member-elected board under the Seven Cooperative Principles, with operating affiliations to NCEMC (26-co-op statewide network), NRECA, Touchstone Energy, and NISC (technology), and is led by CEO/General Manager Josh Winslow (since 2019) with a team of COOs and VPs across Engineering & Operations, Financial Services, Technology, and Corporate Services.

Name

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

Legal name

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation

Website

https://bemc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1939

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative founded in 1939 that distributes electricity to roughly 90,000 residential and commercial members across Brunswick and Columbus counties in southeastern North Carolina via 7,003 miles of line, supplemented by community solar, battery storage, EV charging, and demand-response programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Electric Utility Distribution

NAICS

Electric Power Transmission, Control, and Distribution (22112), Electric Power Distribution (221122), Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution (2211)

SIC

Electric Services (4911)

akta.pro primary industry

Electric Cooperatives (Rural/Member-Owned Utilities) (EUADABAC)

Keywords

• Electric utility services
• Member-owned cooperative
• Renewable energy programs
• Demand response programs
• Energy efficiency solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Supply

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Residential Electric Service: Monthly billing for electric distribution service to ~90,000 residential members across 4 counties. Revenue is at-cost; margins are retained as capital credits and returned to members.
2. Commercial Electric Service: Monthly billing for commercial members on Rate 6 (Large General Service, 50+ kW/month) and Rate 10 (Small General Service, <50 kW/month) time-based pricing structures.
3. Community Solar Subscriptions: Members subscribe to solar panels at $3.50/month per panel or purchase panels for $537 each, receiving bill credits for energy produced.
4. Energy Efficiency Loans: Members borrow up to $10,000 at 5% APR for home energy improvements; payments included on monthly energy bill.
5. Connect to Save Demand Response: Members enroll smart thermostats for $50 upfront incentive and $4/month ongoing bill credit, enabling BEMC to make periodic peak-demand adjustments.
6. Residential Rebates: Bill credits for high-efficiency heat pumps ($300-$600), heat pump water heaters ($300), variable speed pool pumps ($150), and EV charger installation ($500).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) is a member-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperative that distributes electricity to approximately 90,000 residential and commercial members across four counties in southeastern North Carolina. The cooperative maintains 7,003 miles of power line (more than half buried underground), offers time-based residential and commercial rate plans, and operates supplementary programs including community solar subscriptions, EV charging stations, demand response initiatives (Beat the Peak, Connect to Save), energy efficiency loans and rebates, and a utility-scale battery energy storage system. Margins are returned to members as capital credits.

Product overview

Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) is a member-owned electric cooperative providing reliable, affordable electricity to over 90,000 members across four counties in southeastern North Carolina. The company operates a comprehensive suite of products and services organized around three core pillars: (1) Core Electric Services including SmartHub member portal, outage reporting/restoration, outdoor lighting, and vegetation management; (2) Energy Solutions including Time-of-Use Rates, Off Peak Advantage, Connect to Save smart thermostat program, Beat the Peak demand reduction, Energy Efficiency Loans, Residential Rebates, and Home Energy Assessments; and (3) Renewable Energy including Residential Solar with net metering, Community Solar subscriptions, EV Charging Stations, NC GreenPower, and Battery Energy Storage Systems. BEMC also operates extensive community programs including Bright Ideas Education Grants, Community Grants, Scholarship Highway, Sports Camp Scholarships, Warm Homes Warm Hearts utility assistance, and Electric Cooperative Youth Tour. The cooperative's integrated platform centers on SmartHub for account management, enabling members to access billing, usage monitoring, and program enrollment across all services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Brighter Future: Sustainability initiative focused on reliable, affordable, low-carbon electricity with goal of net-zero emissions by 2050
• SmartHub
• Community Solar
• Bright Ideas
• Warm Homes, Warm Hearts
• Beat the Peak
• Connect to Save
• Community Grants

Products and services

• Residential Electric Service At-cost monthly electric distribution service to approximately 90,000 residential members across four counties in southeastern North Carolina, with margins allocated back as capital credits.
• Commercial Electric Service (Rate 6 & Rate 10) Time-based electric distribution service for commercial members under Rate 6 (Large General Service, 50+ kW/month) and Rate 10 (Small General Service, less than 50 kW/month), with demand charges and Base Facility Charges.
• SmartHub Member Portal Online and mobile platform enabling members to pay bills, monitor energy usage, report outages, and access account documents 24/7.
• Connect to Save Smart Thermostat Program Demand response program offering $50 upfront incentive plus $4 monthly bill credit for members enrolling compatible smart thermostats, enabling BEMC to make periodic peak-demand adjustments.
• Beat the Peak Demand Response Program Voluntary demand reduction program that notifies members via text/email when peak energy periods are forecast so they can adjust usage to lower wholesale power costs.
• Time-of-Use Rate Plan Optional rate plan with on-peak, off-peak, and super off-peak pricing tiers rewarding members for shifting energy-intensive tasks away from peak hours.
• Off Peak Advantage Rate Plan Optional residential rate plan offering lower electricity costs when energy-intensive tasks are shifted to off-peak periods, with on-peak Summer (Apr 16–Oct 15, 2–6 PM Mon–Fri) and super off-peak (10 PM–5 AM) tiers.
• Community Solar Subscription program allowing members to lease panels at $3.50/month or purchase panels for $537 from community solar farms in Bolivia and Chadbourn, NC, receiving bill credits for energy produced.
• Residential Solar Net Metering Net metering program for members with on-site solar installations (up to 25 kW AC), providing credits for excess energy exported to the grid.
• NC GreenPower Clean energy program supporting renewable energy, carbon offset projects, and school solar installations in NC through member donations of $4/month for 125 kWh of renewable energy.
• Public EV Charging Stations Network of 8 publicly available Level II EV charging stations across the service territory (Brunswick Forest, Calabash, Sunset Beach, Ocean Isle, Holden Beach, Shallotte, Oak Island), payable via the ChargePoint app.
• Energy Efficiency Loans Loan product offering up to $10,000 at 5% APR to members for qualifying home energy improvements (heat pumps, windows, doors, insulation, ductwork), with payments billed on the monthly energy bill.
• Residential Rebates Bill credit rebates for high-efficiency heat pumps ($300-$600), heat pump water heaters ($300), variable speed pool pumps ($150), and Level 2 EV charger make-ready installation ($500).
• Home Energy Assessments Basic (free) and Advanced ($250) home energy assessments reviewing HVAC, water heating, doors/windows, insulation, and historical usage patterns, with blower door testing and thermal imaging in the Advanced tier.
• Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Utility-scale battery energy storage integrated at a substation in Bolivia, NC, part of a statewide NC electric co-op initiative providing 40 MWs of power across 10 substations to enhance system resilience and reliability.
• Outage Reporting & Restoration 24/7 outage reporting service via phone (800-682-5309), text, online form, and outage map, with automated IVR reports feeding the Outage Management System for rapid restoration prioritizing substations and greatest number of members.
• Outdoor Light Repair Repair service for BEMC-owned outdoor security lights illuminating streets, back yards, parking lots, and driveways, reported via online form with typical completion within five business days.
• Vegetation Management Right-of-way maintenance program ensuring reliable electric service, including 30-foot minimum right-of-way for overhead lines and clearance requirements for underground transformers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50% reduction in carbon emissions from 2005 levels by 2030; net-zero by 2050
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Information Solutions Cooperative (NISC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 11 January 2021NISC is a member-owned cooperative providing leading-edge IT and data solutions to utilities. BEMC CEO Josh Winslow was elected to NISC's Board of Directors (3-year term expiring 2024), strengthening BEMC's data-driven operations and member relationship capabilities.
• National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNRECA is the national trade association representing America's electric cooperatives. BEMC leverages NRECA for access to the latest technology, resources, legislative support, and collective purchasing power across the co-op network.
• Touchstone EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTouchstone Energy is a national cooperative brand alliance of locally owned electric utilities. BEMC participates as a Touchstone Energy co-op, benefiting from cooperative branding, marketing resources, and shared service standards.
• North Carolina Electric Membership Cooperatives (NCEMC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCEMC is the statewide organization coordinating the 26 electric co-ops in North Carolina. BEMC collaborates with NCEMC on shared initiatives including Bright Ideas grants (statewide program), battery energy storage (10 substations, 40 MW total), community solar (panel ownership), EV charging network, and mutual aid.
• Rural Consumer Services Corporation (RCSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCSC is an affiliate company of BEMC set up specifically to facilitate economic development activities in the service area.
• Brunswick Family AssistanceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrunswick Family Assistance is the local agency administering Warm Homes, Warm Hearts utility assistance funds for low-income members in Brunswick County.
• Columbus County Department of AgingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerColumbus County Department of Aging is the local agency administering Warm Homes, Warm Hearts utility assistance funds for low-income members in Columbus County.
• NC GreenPowerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNC GreenPower is an independent nonprofit expanding clean energy technology acceptance in North Carolina through community-based renewable energy, carbon offset, and educational solar installation grant programs. BEMC supports NC GreenPower; members can donate $4/month blocks to support green power and school solar installations.
• ElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit UnionminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorElecTel Cooperative Federal Credit Union offers low-interest EV loans to BEMC members, enabling financing of electric vehicle purchases as part of BEMC's EV ecosystem.
• Local Chambers of CommerceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBEMC supports local Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce and economic development efforts, sponsoring events such as the Columbus County Fair and Brunswick County Parade of Homes.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Wake Electric Membership Corporation: Another North Carolina electric cooperative serving a comparable member base within the NCEMC network. Direct peer as a member-owned distribution co-op operating under the same statewide cooperative framework, NRECA affiliation, and NCUC regulatory regime as BEMC.
• Piedmont Electric Membership Corporation: North Carolina electric cooperative providing distribution service to members in north-central NC. Closely comparable member-owned distribution utility under the same NCEMC umbrella, sharing similar governance, capital structures, and rate-setting process as BEMC.
• Four County EMC: North Carolina electric cooperative serving members in southeastern NC counties. Closest geographic and structural peer to BEMC within the NCEMC network, with comparable scale, member-driven governance, and residential/commercial mix.
• Lumbee River EMC: North Carolina electric cooperative serving members in southeastern NC. Direct structural peer as a member-owned distribution co-op in the same NCEMC cooperative system, serving a similar rural/small-metro member profile as BEMC.
• Carteret-Craven Electric Cooperative: North Carolina electric cooperative serving coastal NC counties. Direct peer given the shared coastal exposure, hurricane risk profile, and member-owned cooperative model under NCEMC and NRECA affiliation, mirroring BEMC's service territory dynamics.
• EnergyUnited: Larger North Carolina electric cooperative serving multiple counties in the central/western part of the state. Peer under the same NCEMC network with comparable member-owned structure, although EnergyUnited's territory and scale are larger than BEMC's.
• Tideland EMC: North Carolina electric cooperative serving coastal members in the Outer Banks area. Direct structural peer as a member-owned distribution co-op with shared coastal hurricane exposure, NCEMC affiliation, and member-driven governance model.

Regional players

• Horry Electric Cooperative: South Carolina electric cooperative serving the Myrtle Beach coastal area. Comparable as a coastal, tourism-heavy, hurricane-exposed member-owned distribution cooperative in an adjacent state, sharing similar demand profile and storm exposure as BEMC.

Broad incumbents

• Duke Energy: Investor-owned utility and the dominant electric supplier across the Carolinas, including adjacent NC territories. Comparable as a major NC electric distribution utility but operates as a for-profit IOU rather than a cooperative, and does not directly compete in BEMC's assigned service territory.

Others

• Touchstone Energy Cooperative: National alliance brand for member-owned electric cooperatives, of which BEMC is a participant. Comparable in that it operates across the same NRECA cooperative ecosystem, but it is a brand/marketing alliance rather than a competing utility.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubevimeo.com/brunswickelectric
• Facebookfacebook.com/BrunswickElectric
• Xx.com/BEMCNC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/brunswick-electric-membership-corporation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation