CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Duke Energy Carolinas customers in North Carolina and South Carolina set a summertime record for electricity usage this week as the region's lingering heat wave drove up energy demand.

The new summer peak usage record is 20,671 megawatt-hours of electricity for the hour ending at 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 27, 2016 - exceeding the previous summertime record of 20,628 megawatts-hours, set on Aug. 8, 2007.

The all-time Duke Energy Carolinas record - covering both summer and winter seasons - remains 21,101 megawatt-hours, set on Feb. 20, 2015.

Temperatures have reached above 90 degrees in the Carolinas every day for more than a week, often hovering in the mid- to upper-90s.

Duke Energy is closely monitoring the electric system to ensure its customers continue to receive reliable power during the extended hot weather period.

'We have sufficient supplies of electricity to meet our customers' needs, and our technicians are working around the clock to ensure smooth operations at our power plants and along our power lines,' said Nelson Peeler, Duke Energy vice president of system planning and operations.

About Duke Energy

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. Its Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

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Duke Energy Corporation published this content on 01 August 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 26 August 2016 14:59:05 UTC.

Original documenthttps://news.duke-energy.com/releases/releases-20160801

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