Duke Energy: Cold triggers new peak-use record on Jan. 2, 2018

The unofficial winter peak record is now 7,281 megawatt-hours in the hour ending at 9 a.m., which beat the previous record set on Jan. 6, 2014, when customers used 7,214 megawatt-hours.

“Last week was bitterly cold in Indiana, and our team worked around-the-clock to make sure we were prepared to meet our customers’ energy needs,” said Nelson Peeler, senior vice president and chief transmission officer.

“Extreme temperatures drive record usage since the majority of the energy we use as consumers is for heating or cooling our homes and businesses. Our system performed well during this time frame when we know our customers count on us most.”

Duke Energy system operators closely monitored the electric system as temperatures dove well below zero degrees at times last week and helped ensure the company had an adequate supply of electricity to meet energy demand.

Duke Energy Indiana serves approximately 820,000 households and businesses in parts of 69 counties.