Duke Energy asks Carolinas customers to reduce electricity use during today's peak-demand period

Duke Energy is asking Carolinas customers to cut usage during a single peak-demand window to ease grid strain from unusual September heat.

Rhea-AI Summary

Duke Energy (DUK) is asking customers in North Carolina and South Carolina to voluntarily reduce electricity use from 2–8 p.m. on Sept. 18, 2026, as unusually hot weather drives peak demand on the regional power grid.

The company urges customers to raise thermostats to the highest comfortable setting, avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, and limit use of electric ranges and ovens during this period. Electric vehicle owners are asked to shift charging to overnight hours when demand is lower. Duke Energy leaders in both states said that above‑average heat is putting pressure on the system and that small customer actions during late afternoon and early evening can help reduce grid strain and support reliable service.

Duke Energy reports serving approximately 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and more than 870,000 in South Carolina, as part of its broader 8.7 million‑customer electric utility footprint across six states.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Sept. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Unusually hot September weather is driving high electricity demand across parts of the Carolinas. Duke Energy is asking customers in North Carolina and South Carolina to voluntarily reduce electricity use from 2-8 p.m. today, Sept. 18, to help reduce demand on the power grid during the day's peak period.

Customers can help by taking simple steps during this peak period:

• Raise your thermostat to the highest comfortable setting.

• Avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers.

• Limit use of electric ranges and ovens, which can add heat to your home and increase air conditioning demand.

• Electric vehicle owners: Charge overnight, when demand is lower.

"Above-average heat puts pressure on the system during peak hours," said Kendal Bowman, president of Duke Energy's utility operations in North Carolina. "Small actions during the late afternoon and early evening can help reduce strain on the grid and support reliable service for everyone."

"We recognize it is inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference," said Tim Pearson, president of Duke Energy's utility operations in South Carolina. "We're using every available resource to meet demand so power keeps flowing to our communities."

Duke Energy has approximately 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and more than 870,000 electric customers in South Carolina.

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 8.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 55,700 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio and Kentucky.

Duke Energy is executing an energy modernization strategy, keeping customer value at the forefront as it invests in electric grid upgrades and efficient generation resources to strengthen the system and serve growing energy needs.

More information is available at duke-energy.com. Follow Duke Energy on X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook for stories about the people and innovations powering its communities. 

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

 

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SOURCE Duke Energy

FAQ

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What specific actions is Duke Energy asking Carolinas customers to take during the 2–8 p.m. peak period?

Duke Energy asks customers to raise thermostats to the highest comfortable setting, avoid using major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers, and limit use of electric ranges and ovens, which add heat and increase air conditioning demand.

How should electric vehicle owners adjust charging in response to Duke Energy's request?

Electric vehicle owners are asked to charge their vehicles overnight, when overall electricity demand on the grid is lower, instead of during the 2–8 p.m. peak period.

How many customers in the Carolinas could be affected by this peak-demand conservation request?

Duke Energy reports approximately 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and more than 870,000 electric customers in South Carolina who are being asked to voluntarily reduce electricity use during the specified hours.

What reason does Duke Energy give for this time-limited conservation request?

The company states that unusually hot September weather is driving high electricity demand, and that above‑average heat puts pressure on the system during peak hours, so small customer actions can help reduce strain on the grid and support reliable service.