Fayetteville PWC Celebrates 50 Years of the Butler-Warner Generation Plant
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Butler-Warner Generation Plant, recognizing five decades of reliable electric generation, innovation and service to Fayetteville and Cumberland County.
The Butler-Warner Generation Plant represents an important part of PWC's history and its commitment to long-term planning and reliable electric service. PWC is the only municipal utility in North Carolina that owns and operates its own electric generation plant, a distinction that reflects decades of investment and leadership in public power.
Construction of BWGP began in the mid-1970s, with the first two generating units entering service in 1976. By 1980, eight gas turbine units were capable of producing 200 megawatts of electricity.
In 1988, six of the generating units were converted to a combined-cycle steam system through the addition of three Heat Recovery Steam Generators, a steam turbine and other supporting systems. The improvements increased the plant's generating capacity to 265 megawatts while significantly improving efficiency.
The plant was officially dedicated in 1989 as the Butler-Warner Generation Plant, honoring former Commission Chairmen Robert H. Butler and James R. Warner for their visionary leadership.
Originally developed to help protect customers from rising peak power costs, BWGP continues to play an important role in supporting PWC's electric system and helping manage wholesale power costs. Today, the plant operates in partnership with Duke Energy Progress, generating additional revenue that helps offset power supply costs and provides value to PWC customers.
“Fifty years of operation is an extraordinary milestone, but what makes Butler-Warner special is how the plant has continued to evolve with the needs of the community and the electric industry,” said Timothy Bryant, P.E., CEO/General Manager of Fayetteville PWC. “From its original role supporting reliability and managing power costs to today’s investments in solar energy and battery storage, Butler-Warner represents PWC’s commitment to innovation, sound planning and delivering value to customers.”
The evolution of BWGP has continued with the addition of renewable energy and battery energy storage technologies. In 2019, PWC established North Carolina's first municipal Community Solar and Battery Storage Project adjacent to the plant. The project now includes 2 megawatts of battery storage, helping support lower peak demand costs while expanding PWC's renewable energy resources. Additional solar generation capacity at the site further demonstrates PWC's commitment to sustainability and preparing for the future of the electric utility industry.
BWGP remains an important component of PWC's electric system, which serves more than 86,000 electric customers throughout Fayetteville and Cumberland County. Over the past five decades, PWC has continued investing in modern substations, advanced technology, automation, renewable energy and other system reliability improvements to meet the community's growing energy needs.
The plant has also earned national recognition, including being named to the "Plants to See" list by the World Energy Conference and the American Public Power Association.
"As we celebrate 50 years of Butler-Warner, we also celebrate the people whose expertise and dedication have kept this facility and our electric system moving forward," Bryant said. "Its legacy reminds us of the importance of planning for the future, and we will continue building on that legacy to provide safe, reliable and affordable electric service for generations to come."
Fayetteville PWC Earns Four 2026 Public Power Awards Of Excellence
The Fayetteville Public Works Commission has been recognized with four 2026 Public Power Awards of Excellence from ElectriCities of North Carolina, continuing a tradition of recognition dating back to 2015.
PWC received awards in four categories: Strengthen Public Power, Provide Superior Power, Customer-Centered Innovation, and People. The honors recognize PWC's continued commitment to reliable utility services, customer-focused solutions, employee development, and the public power model.
“These awards reflect the dedication of PWC employees and a commitment to serving customers and the community,” said Bryant.
“As a community-owned utility, PWC takes pride in delivering safe, reliable, and affordable utility services, finding innovative ways to meet customer needs, and investing in the employees who make that work possible. This recognition is an honor and reflects the dedication demonstrated across PWC every day.”
The four award categories highlight important areas of PWC's operations and commitment to public service:
• Strengthen Public Power: Supporting the value of community-owned utilities through leadership, partnerships, and community engagement.
• Provide Superior Power: Demonstrating a commitment to reliable electric service, operational excellence, and infrastructure improvements.
• Customer-Centered Innovation: Advancing programs, technologies, and solutions that enhance the customer experience.
• People: Recognizing the importance of employee development, workforce engagement, and a culture of service.
The 2026 recognition continues PWC's streak of receiving Public Power Awards of Excellence honors dating back to 2015, reflecting the utility's longstanding commitment to serving the Fayetteville community.
Time-Of-Use Winter Peak Hours Start In November
Winter Peak Hours for Fayetteville PWC electric customers began on Nov. 1. Peak electric hours from November through March are 6 a.m.-9 a.m., 7 days a week, when energy demand is the highest and costs the most. Shift as much electric use to Off-Peak hours for the highest savings. Off-Peak hours cost 35% less than On-Peak hours.
Here are a few tips for use during Peak times:
• Turn your thermostat down in cool weather.
• Wash and dry laundry and run your dishwasher during Off-Peak hours.
• Use cold water settings for laundry.
• Unplug electronics that aren’t in use.
• Consider purchasing “smart” appliances.
Visit our Customer Incentive Programs page for a complete list of programs and to find out how much money you can earn in bill credits!
Super Off-Peak Rate
Customers who signed up for the Whole Home/Super Off-Peak Rate will still have the Super Off-Peak time period from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. Super Off-Peak Rates are optional and may help homeowners save money by scheduling high energy consumption tasks for late hours, such as charging an electrical vehicle.
PWC is a community-owned utility providing electric, water, and wastewater services to customers in Fayetteville and the surrounding area. Through continued investments in infrastructure, innovation, and its workforce, PWC remains focused on delivering safe, reliable, and affordable utility services.

(Photo courtesy of PWC)