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Duke Energy Calls for Energy Conservation in the Carolinas

In light of the unusually high temperatures gripping the Carolinas this September, Duke Energy has proactively urged its customers in both North and South Carolina to help alleviate the strain on the electrical grid by reducing their electricity consumption during peak demand hours. The company has specifically requested customers to conserve energy between the hours of 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM today, September 18.

Duke Energy, which serves approximately 3.9 million electric customers in North Carolina and over 870,000 in South Carolina, is facing significant challenges due to the soaring demand for electricity caused by the heat. Kendal Bowman, who oversees the utility operations in North Carolina, stated, "Above-average heat puts pressure on the system during peak hours. Small actions during the late afternoon and early evening can help reduce strain on the grid and support reliable service for everyone."

The utility has suggested several easy steps that residents can take to decrease their energy consumption. These include:

• - Raising the thermostat to the highest comfortable level to reduce air conditioning demand.
• - Avoiding the use of major appliances, such as washing machines, clothes dryers, and dishwashers, during peak hours.
• - Limiting the use of electric ranges and ovens, as they contribute additional heat to homes and further increase air conditioning needs.
• - Charging electric vehicles overnight when electricity demand is lower.

Tim Pearson, who leads Duke Energy's operations in South Carolina, acknowledged the inconvenience of reducing power usage but emphasized its critical importance in ensuring continued reliable service. He remarked, "We recognize it is inconvenient to reduce electric use, but it makes a real difference. We're using every available resource to meet demand so power keeps flowing to our communities."

Duke Energy's commitment to improving its services is marked by its ongoing energy modernization strategy. This approach focuses on enhancing customer value while investing in updates to the electric grid and efficient generation resources to meet the growing energy needs of its customers.

As one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States, Duke Energy not only provides electricity to 8.7 million customers across six states—including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky—but also actively works to support the community through sustainable practices and transparency.

For further information, customers can visit Duke Energy's website at duke-energy.com. Residents are encouraged to follow Duke Energy on social platforms like X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook for updates and stories that highlight the individuals and innovations powering their communities.

As the temperature rises, every small action contributes to the collective effort, and the participation of each customer can help stabilize the electric grid during this unusual heat wave. Therefore, residents are urged to take these recommended measures seriously today to ensure a stable power supply for all.