Duke Energy asks customers to lower usage Monday morning as demand peaks.

Duke Energy Calls for Immediate Reduction in Power Use Across the Carolinas

Duke Energy has issued an urgent appeal to its customers in North Carolina and South Carolina, requesting they voluntarily reduce their electricity consumption Monday morning. The plea comes as the region faces a combination of extreme cold weather and anticipated high demand, straining the power grid's capacity.

Why the Sudden Call for Conservation?

Forecasters predict a significant surge in power usage as residents wake up to frigid temperatures. This "peak demand" period, typically occurring in the early morning when people are heating homes, starting their days, and businesses are opening, can push the electrical system to its limits. By proactively reducing strain, the utility aims to prevent potential emergency measures, including controlled outages.

How Customers Can Help Ease the Strain

Officials suggest several immediate actions households can take to lower energy use during the critical morning hours:

• Lower thermostats, especially in unoccupied rooms or if leaving home.


• Postpone using major appliances like washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers until later in the day.


• Turn off non-essential lights and electronics.


• Avoid using large power-drawing devices like electric space heaters on high settings.


• Unplug chargers and small appliances that draw "phantom" power.

The focus is on temporary, voluntary reductions during the specified peak window to ensure overall grid reliability for all customers.

A Proactive Measure for System Stability

This type of public appeal is a standard industry practice during periods of exceptional stress on the power infrastructure. It is considered a preventative step to maintain service for everyone, including critical facilities like hospitals. Duke Energy stated that monitoring conditions closely and will provide updates as the situation evolves.

What do you think?

• Should utilities be allowed to implement controlled, rolling blackouts to protect the grid, or is that an unacceptable failure of infrastructure planning?


• If voluntary cuts aren't enough, should households that conserve be financially compensated, while high users face a surcharge?


• Is the responsibility for grid stability during extreme weather on the power companies to build more resilience, or on the public to drastically change their consumption habits?


• With more frequent extreme weather events, are calls for conservation becoming a permanent new normal we must accept?