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Duke Energy

Supplier Diversity

Supplier Diversity

At Duke Energy, we proactively seek and build relationships with diverse suppliers to create a more sustainable supply chain as we make progress on our clean energy transformation and net-zero goals.

At the same time, these practices help our suppliers grow, create jobs, and provide a positive local economic impact. We are invested in our suppliers success and the vitality of the communities we serve.

Our 2021 Supplier Diversity Impact Report shows the impact we are making.

2021 by the Numbers

For the seventh consecutive year, Duke Energy has spent more than $1 billion annually with diverse businesses.

  • Total Tier 1 diverse spend
    (Tier 1 represents direct purchases from diverse or local suppliers.)

  • Total Tier 2 diverse spend
    (Tier 2 represents spend by Duke Energy suppliers with diverse suppliers/subcontractors.)

  • Total diverse spend

  • Jobs supported in our local communities – Carolinas, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee

  • Added value to local gross regional product (GRP)

To emphasize our support of growing diverse suppliers and equity when awarding contracts, we have a goal to increase our annual spend with certified Tier 1 diverse suppliers to $1 billion.


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Supplier Development

To create awareness of opportunities to work with Duke Energy and build a stronger diverse supplier base, we actively host and participate in business development events, and engage with community economic development organizations and other entities that support diverse businesses.

Duke Energy hosts events for current and prospective suppliers, including the Supplier Diversity University and Supplier Exchange Forum. Through these events, we seek to educate, develop and cultivate relationships with diverse vendor businesses.

  • The Supplier Diversity University, launched in 2021, is an invitation only initiative designed for diverse suppliers with utility experience or who have the capacity to provide products and services needed to support our core business. The event provides resources and information on how to do business with Duke Energy. Participants will engage with prime suppliers and internal stakeholders to gain insight in upcoming opportunities.
  • Our Supplier Exchange Forum is a valuable networking opportunity for Duke Energy suppliers and corporate leadership. During the event, key industry insights are shared, and we present awards to recognize suppliers who share our commitment to safety, environmental stewardship, and economic development through inclusion of diverse suppliers.
Congratulations to the 2022 Supplier Excellence Award Recipients at Duke Energy's fifth Supplier Exchange Forum.

Interested in working with us?

Duke Energy’s supplier diversity program reflects our commitment to inclusion and developing and expanding relationships with diverse businesses owned by minorities, women, persons with disabilities, LGBT, veterans, service-disabled veterans or who are federal HUBZone certified. Our supplier diversity program creates opportunities to partner with businesses that bring valuable perspectives, new skills and quality products and services at competitive prices to the table.

Diverse Supplier Certification

The growth and development of a diverse supplier base is crucial to Duke Energy’s continued success. That is why we are asking our suppliers to obtain third-party certification from one or more Recognized Certifying Agencies (RCAs).


Supplier Diversity and Certification

  • To be considered diverse, a business must be at least 51% owned by one or more individuals in the below classifications. In addition, the owners must control the management and daily operations of the business.
    • Minority
    • Women
    • Veteran
    • Service-disabled Veteran
    • Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)
    • Disabled
  • Certified Federal HUBZone Business

Meet the Supplier Diversity Team

Featured Content

Other Economic Inclusion Efforts