Duke Energy outlines steps to reliably serve record customer demand resulting from extreme winter weather

• Extreme cold in late January and early February required Duke Energy to purchase power from other utilities – to be reflected in customer rates beginning June 1 – reinforcing need for new generation in the Carolinas

CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 15, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy has filed requests with the North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) related to fuel and purchased power costs incurred during one of the most extreme winter periods in the past decade – costs driven by record customer energy demand resulting from the cold weather and the utility's commitment to keep power available and reliable when it is needed most.

Why it matters

• Extreme cold across North Carolina in late January and early February pushed electricity demand beyond what existing power plants and storage resources alone could supply.
• To ensure homes and businesses stayed warm and powered during prolonged freezing conditions, Duke Energy purchased additional electricity from neighboring utilities at elevated market prices.
• These actions underscore the importance of continued investment in reliable, around-the-clock generation and grid infrastructure as customer demand continues to grow.

Meeting record demand during extreme conditions

During sustained subfreezing temperatures – 10 to 20 degrees below normal – customer energy use surged ...

Full story available on Benzinga.com