Duke Energy is asking its Florida customers to reduce their electricity usage during the early morning hours of Monday, February 2, 2026. The request comes as the state faces its coldest weather since 2018, which has led to higher than normal demand for electricity across the southeast.
The company is urging customers to voluntarily cut back on energy use between 5 and 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. This effort aims to protect the electric grid and maintain service for as many people as possible.
Duke Energy has provided several suggestions for reducing energy consumption. Customers are advised to lower their thermostats to the lowest comfortable setting, delay using large appliances such as washing machines, dryers, and dishwashers during peak hours, turn off unnecessary devices and lights, and charge electric vehicles during midday when demand is typically lower.
Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president, said: “We know power is an essential part of our customers’ everyday lives, and we recognize that reducing electricity usage isn’t an easy ask. We appreciate our customers’ cooperation and understanding as we work to continue providing safe, reliable service for our more than 2 million customers during this cold spell.”
Duke Energy Florida supplies electricity to approximately 2 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile area in Florida. The company owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity in the state.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), based in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its electric utilities serve about 8.4 million customers across six states and collectively own nearly 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. The company’s natural gas utilities serve around 1.7 million customers in five states.
The company continues to invest in grid upgrades and cleaner forms of energy generation such as natural gas, nuclear power, renewables, and energy storage as part of its broader transition strategy.
More information can be found at duke-energy.com or through Duke Energy’s social media channels.
