CHARLOTTE, N.C., Dec. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Duke Energy is monitoring and preparing for a winter weather system that may cause power outages across the Carolinas this holiday weekend.
Duke Energy meteorologists are tracking a significant winter weather event expected to move through North and South Carolina on Friday morning, bringing wind gusts up to 55 mph and below-freezing temperatures. Conditions like these also bring a higher risk of widespread power outages across the region.
"While there is never a good time to be without power, we recognize that the possibility of outages over the holidays is particularly worrisome for the customers and communities we serve," said Jason Hollifield, Carolinas Storm Director. "Our crews are prepared and will work as quickly and safely as possible to restore power when outages occur."
High winds and saturated ground may lead to downed trees, limbs and power lines. These winds can also impede Duke Energy workers' ability to assess storm damage and restore power, and any outages that occur early Friday could linger into the evening as high wind gusts are forecast throughout the day.
Meeting customers' needs
With extreme cold also comes higher demand for electricity to power homes and businesses. Our diverse energy mix in the Carolinas helps to insulate our customers from extreme weather.
Even as we transition to a cleaner energy future, we continue to rely on an "all-of-the-above" approach that includes nuclear, natural gas, coal and hydro generation to provide reliable energy that can be dispatched as needed, when customer demand for electricity is at its highest.
Safety information
Duke Energy encourages customers to have a plan in place to respond to an extended power outage after severe weather. Below are some tips:
Before the storm
After the storm
Outage reporting
After a storm hits, restoring power as safely and quickly as possible is our top priority, while keeping our customers informed.
Understand how Duke Energy restores power
Our crews are ready to respond should outages occur. Learn more about the restoration process following damaging winds.
Duke Energy
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America's largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 28,000 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune's 2022 "World's Most Admired Companies" list and Forbes' "World's Best Employers" list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy's illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
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SOURCE Duke Energy
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