Duke Energy Urges Florida Customers to Reduce Electric Usage

Utility asks customers to voluntarily lower energy consumption during cold snap

Feb. 1, 2026 at 2:47pm

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Duke Energy is asking all of its Florida customers to voluntarily reduce their electricity usage from 5 to 9 a.m. EST on Monday, February 2, 2026, due to extremely cold temperatures driving unusually high demand across the Southeast. The utility is taking this measure to help protect the grid and keep power flowing for as many customers as possible during the cold spell.

Why it matters

Maintaining grid stability and reliable electricity service is critical during extreme weather events, especially for vulnerable populations. Duke Energy's request for voluntary conservation reflects the utility's efforts to balance supply and demand and avoid potential outages or brownouts.

The details

Duke Energy is asking customers to lower their energy use in several ways, such as adjusting thermostats, postponing use of major appliances, and turning off unnecessary lights and electronics. The utility says this is necessary to protect the grid and keep power flowing for as many customers as possible during the cold snap.

  • Duke Energy is asking customers to reduce usage from 5 to 9 a.m. EST on Monday, February 2, 2026.
  • Florida is experiencing the coldest air in the state since 2018.

The players

Duke Energy Florida

A subsidiary of Duke Energy that owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity and supplies electricity to 2 million customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.

Duke Energy

A Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. that is one of America's largest energy holding companies, serving 8.4 million electric customers and 1.7 million natural gas customers across several states.

Melissa Seixas

Duke Energy Florida state president.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president

What’s next

Duke Energy will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates to customers as needed. The utility is also working to restore normal operations as soon as possible.

The takeaway

Duke Energy's request for voluntary energy conservation during the cold snap underscores the importance of grid resilience and the need for utilities to proactively manage supply and demand, especially during extreme weather events that can strain the power system.