CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV) - Duke Energy crews and grid operators managed record-breaking power usage during an extended period of cold temperatures in the Carolinas, the company said Thursday.
According to a news release, the Carolinas service area experienced about 65 hours of freezing or below freezing temperatures beginning Jan. 20, which the area has not experienced since January 2018.
Preliminary numbers show that Duke Energy Carolinas and Duke Energy Progress achieved a new combined peak usage record on Jan. 23 of 37,387 MWh of electricity consumption, beating the previous record of 36,670 MWh set on Feb. 20, 2015.
Also read: Warmer temperatures coming to Charlotte region: What to know
"When temperatures are cold, our customers count on us to generate and deliver reliable power," said Ben Harrison, Duke Energy vice president of grid operations - planning and operations. "I commend the efforts of the crews at our power plants, in grid control rooms and in the field across the region for their work around the clock. We had a strong plan in place and have worked to help ensure we can reliably serve our customers in all types of weather."
Duke Energy said it relies on a diverse energy mix to meet growing energy needs across the state. That mix includes nuclear, natural gas, hydro renewables and coal, all of which are needed when demand for electricity is high. They expect those energy needs to continue to increase as they work to meet customer and economic growth in the region.