Duke Energy Requests Voluntary Power Reductions Amid Cold
PUBLISHED Feb 1, 2026, 11:20 AM ET
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. Duke Energy asked customers across North and South Carolina on Monday to voluntarily reduce electricity use from 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. as temperatures running 10 to 20 degrees below normal increased demand and strained the regional grid. The utility recommended lowering thermostats, avoiding major appliances during peak hours, turning off unnecessary devices and charging electric vehicles midday. Company officials said they were maximizing generation, purchasing power and coordinating with large commercial customers under demand response programs to maintain reliable service. The request aimed to reduce the risk of temporary outages. Based on 6 articles reviewed and research.
By Michael Grant | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- Temperatures drop 10–20°F below normal across the East Coast, increasing heating demand.
- Duke Energy announces voluntary reduction request for customers from 4–10 a.m. on Feb. 2.
- Local reports note outages, including nearly 400 customers in Carteret County.
- Utility maximizes generation, purchases power, and coordinates demand-response with large customers.
- Customers receive guidance to lower thermostats, avoid major appliances, and charge EVs midday.
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Grid operators and critical infrastructure providers benefited from reduced peak load, lowering the immediate risk of temporary outages and improving short-term grid stability during the extreme cold event.
Residential and commercial customers experienced inconvenience and at least temporary service interruptions, including nearly 400 Carteret County customers who reported outages during the cold snap.
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Duke Energy Requests Voluntary Power Reductions Amid Cold
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