In light of recent winter storms, Duke Energy has announced a significant request for its customers to conserve electricity during specific early morning hours. From 4 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Monday, the utility company urged residents to reduce their power consumption to prevent potential outages caused by the increased demand for energy.
Caroline Fountain, a representative from Duke Energy, highlighted the positive impact of this conservation effort, noting that it played a crucial role in ensuring a steady supply of electricity for all customers across the Carolinas. This proactive approach is particularly important during the winter months when energy demands peak due to colder temperatures.
Fountain explained that energy use tends to spike in the early morning, coinciding with the coldest part of the day. As people wake up, they typically turn on their heating systems, lights, and appliances, which can place a significant strain on the energy grid. "Even if you keep your thermostat at the same setting, your heating system must work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature when it's frigid outside," she remarked.
Expressing gratitude, Fountain thanked customers for their cooperation in reducing energy usage. She stated, "Thanks to the understanding and patience of our customers, we were able to deliver reliable electricity across the Carolinas." This recent appeal for energy conservation was reminiscent of a similar request made last June when soaring temperatures led to heightened demand on the grid during the summer months, particularly in the late afternoon.
As the situation unfolded on January 26, 2026, crews were actively engaged in restoring power following a severe winter storm in western North Carolina. Duke Energy's meteorological team continuously monitors weather patterns to anticipate energy needs, while grid operators assess and adjust power supplies accordingly.
In addition to Duke Energy, French Broad Electric, which serves areas north of Asheville, also faced challenges during these winter storms. Jeff Loven, the general manager and CEO of French Broad Electric, expressed his appreciation for the company's resilience despite the harsh weather conditions. He reported a brief outage affecting 750 customers in the Leicester community, but thankfully, it lasted only around 30 minutes.
By following Duke Energy’s recommendation to conserve power, French Broad Electric successfully managed to keep disruptions to a minimum. Looking ahead, although temperatures are expected to dip below freezing again overnight into Tuesday, Fountain remains optimistic. "We are in a good position to reliably deliver electricity to our customers," she assured, emphasizing that they have adequate energy resources to meet expected demands.
