Duke Energy and partners help customers in need stay safe, warm and connected

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) and partners expanded holiday-season assistance to help customers stay safe, warm and connected on Dec. 17, 2025.

Key facts: the Share the Light Fund collected $6.4 million from Duke Energy, its foundation, customers and employees this year; the Duke Energy Foundation contributed over one‑third of that total, including an extra $400,000 invested in summer heat relief; and since 2022 total contributions exceed $11 million to local nonprofit partners. The company directs customers to a Payment Assistance Finder and accepts one‑time or recurring donations to the fund.

Key Figures

Share the Light contributions more than $6.4 million Energy assistance contributions in 2025

Foundation summer support $400,000 Additional Duke Energy Foundation investment during extreme heat

Assistance since 2022 more than $11 million Contributed to local nonprofit partners since 2022

Electric customers 8.6 million Electric utilities in six U.S. states

Electric capacity 55,100 megawatts Owned energy capacity

Natural gas customers 1.7 million Natural gas utilities in five U.S. states

PremierNotes shelf size $4,000,000,000 Aggregate offering price under S-3ASR dated Sep 30, 2025

PremierNotes max outstanding $2,000,000,000 Maximum net aggregate principal amount outstanding

Market Reality Check

$117.44 Last Close

Volume Volume 3,193,248 is 0.94x the 20-day average of 3,392,919. normal

Technical Price 115.59 is trading below the 200-day MA at 120.46.

Peers on Argus

Peers show mixed moves: SO up 0.36%, AEP down 1.04%, D down 0.79%, EXC down 0.43%, NGG flat. No clear sector-wide direction relative to DUK.

Historical Context

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Dec 12	Customer guidance	Neutral	+0.8%	Piedmont Natural Gas tips and assistance programs ahead of cold weather.
Dec 12	Customer efficiency tips	Neutral	+0.8%	Energy-saving steps and efficiency programs as temperatures plunge.
Dec 12	Leadership changes	Neutral	+0.8%	Finance leadership transitions effective in early and late 2026.
Dec 11	Community grants	Positive	+0.3%	Foundation grants of <b>$500,000</b> to NC small business nonprofits.
Dec 04	Nuclear strategy	Positive	-0.6%	Support for DOE-backed BWRX-300 SMR deployment and new nuclear strategy.

Pattern Detected

Recent Duke Energy news has been operational or community-focused, with modest single-day price reactions around +/-1%.

Recent Company History

This announcement continues a series of community and operational updates from Duke Energy. Recent releases in December 2025 highlighted customer energy-saving guidance, foundation support of $500,000 for North Carolina small businesses, and participation in DOE-backed SMR deployment. Price reactions to these items were modest, between about -0.55% and +0.8%, suggesting incremental, rather than transformational, catalysts from similar news flows.

Regulatory & Risk Context

Active S-3 Shelf Registration 2025-09-30

$4,000,000,000 registered capacity

An effective Form S-3ASR dated September 30, 2025 registers up to $4,000,000,000 of PremierNotes, with up to $2,000,000,000 outstanding at any time, providing ongoing financing flexibility through unsecured floating rate demand notes.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights Duke Energy’s community assistance efforts, with more than $6.4 million contributed this year and over $11 million since 2022 to help customers stay safe and connected. It fits alongside recent community and operational updates that produced modest price reactions. Investors may track how such programs support the company’s large base of 8.6 million electric and 1.7 million gas customers and intersect with its ongoing capital and financing plans, including registered PremierNotes capacity.

Key Terms

megawatts technical

"collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity."

A megawatt is a measure of electrical power equal to one million watts, describing how much electricity a plant or device can generate or use at a single moment. Investors use megawatts to compare the size and earning potential of energy projects—larger capacity usually means more electricity to sell—much like comparing the horsepower of engines to judge how much work they can do. Knowing megawatts helps assess scale, revenue potential, and grid impact of energy assets.

natural gas technical

"Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers"

Natural gas is a flammable gas mixture, mostly methane, extracted from underground and used to heat homes, generate electricity and power factories—think of it as the fuel that keeps heaters, power plants and many industrial processes running. Investors care because its price and supply affect energy company profits, utility bills and inflation, and can swing quickly with weather, production changes or geopolitical events, much like how gasoline prices influence many businesses and consumer costs.

energy storage technical

"including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage."

Energy storage involves capturing and holding excess energy produced during periods of low demand for later use when demand is higher. Think of it like a rechargeable battery that saves power for when it’s needed most. For investors, energy storage is important because it helps balance supply and demand, making energy systems more reliable and efficient, which can influence the value of energy-related assets and technologies.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

• Together with customers, employees and local partners, Duke Energy is making a difference – providing critical energy assistance so families can stay safe and connected during challenging times.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As temperatures drop this holiday season, more families are turning to community resources to make ends meet. Duke Energy and its partners are stepping up to help.

Impact this year: Through the Share the Light Fund®, Duke Energy, its Foundation, customers and employees have contributed more than $6.4 million to community agencies – helping neighbors keep homes warm and powered when it matters most.

Foundation support: More than one-third of that came from Duke Energy Foundation, including an additional $400,000 invested this summer to help families stay safe during extreme heat.

Long-term commitment: Since 2022, more than $11 million has been contributed to local nonprofit partners to connect customers in need with assistance.

"Behind every request for help is a story—a family, a friend, a community member working to get through a tough time," said Loree Elswick, president of Duke Energy Foundation. "Through Share the Light Fund and our local partners, we're able to support our neighbors in their moment of need."

"Supporting families through winter starts with partnership, and Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund empowers Crisis Assistance Ministry to reach households swiftly with the help they need," said Shelly Biby, Chief Advancement Officer of Crisis Assistance Ministry. "It's how our community comes together to help keep homes safe, warm and connected."

How to get help: Customers who need assistance can find local agencies through Duke Energy's Payment Assistance Finder. 

How to give back: You can set up a recurring or one-time contribution to the Share the Light Fund – bringing comfort and connection to those who need it most.

Duke Energy 
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. The company's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. 

Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage. 

More information is available at duke-energy.com and the Duke Energy News Center. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, and visit illumination for stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition. 

24-Hour: 800.559.3853 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-and-partners-help-customers-in-need-stay-safe-warm-and-connected-302644915.html

SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

How much did Duke Energy raise through the Share the Light Fund in 2025 (DUK)?

The Share the Light Fund raised more than $6.4 million in 2025.

What portion of the 2025 Share the Light Fund came from the Duke Energy Foundation?

The Duke Energy Foundation contributed more than one‑third of the 2025 total, including an additional $400,000 invested in summer relief.

How much has Duke Energy contributed to local nonprofit partners since 2022 (DUK)?

Since 2022, Duke Energy and partners have contributed more than $11 million to local nonprofit partners.

How can Duke Energy customers (DUK) find payment assistance?

Customers can locate local agencies using Duke Energy's Payment Assistance Finder on the company's website.

Can I donate to Duke Energy's Share the Light Fund and how?

Yes; donors can set up a one‑time or recurring contribution to the Share the Light Fund via Duke Energy's donation portal.

Which regions do Duke Energy's electric and gas utilities serve (DUK)?

Duke Energy's electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in NC, SC, FL, IN, OH and KY; its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in NC, SC, TN, OH and KY.