CREE expects to add 275 NC jobs during 2009 to serve the expansion of LED manufacturing capacity and other staffing needs in Durham.

The company anticipates to add another 300 jobs by the end of 2012.

The company is seeing growing demand for its light-emitting diode chips used in energy-efficient lights. The company reported in August that Cree was increasing capacity and adding workers at its plants in Durham and China.

CREE also began manufacturing and assembling LED lighting products with Flextronics in Mecklenburg County.

Gov. Beverly Perdue said green jobs are a large part of the state's economic future.

"We will do whatever it takes to build this green economy," Perdue said. "We'll make sure people know green is gold in NC."

Perdue pledged to help break down barriers in helping make the state more energy-efficient after CREE's CEO Chuck Swoboda said the state must take the lead on making it a priority.

Swoboda said innovation is the key to being a leader in the green economy.

"LED lights will save energy, money and help protect our environment," Swoboda said. "We can either innovate or be left behind."

He credits the expansion with demand for LED lighting.

"We are seeing tremendous growth for LED lighting," Swoboda said. "Energy-efficient lighting has its roots right here in North Carolina and Cree is proud to be bringing more green jobs to our state."

Cree has about 3,500 full-time workers, including 1,500 in Durham.

In July, Swoboda was one of seven CEOs invited to discuss energy-efficient technologies with President Obama at the White House.