CHARLOTTE -- Duke Energy officials are asking customers to reduce electricity use during the next 24 hours to help avoid potential high-energy demand on the electrical grid caused by frigid temperatures.
The most critical time to reduce electricity usage is Thursday between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.
"The forecasted conditions are very similar to those we experienced last January during the Polar Vortex, and are affecting a large portion of the country," said Nelson Peeler, Duke Energy vice president of transmission system operations. "We currently have sufficient generation resources to meet our customers' energy needs, but we know from experience that conditions can change quickly, and we need to be prepared."
To help lessen energy demand on the power grid during the next 24 hours and reduce the potential for isolated power outages, Duke Energy offered the following tips:
Customers who experience power outages should call Duke Energy's automated outage-reporting systems for their respective utility. For
Duke Energy Carolinas, call 1-800-POWERON (1-800-769-3766. For Duke Energy Progress, call 1-800-419-6356.
Duke Energy says it has several plans in place to deal with the expected high demand, including running all available generation units and buying power from other utilities.