Duke Energy : seeking wind power to serve customers in the Carolinas

• Further diversifies company's energy mix.

• To be delivered to Duke Energy Carolinas system by 2022.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - As part of building a smarter energy future and generating cleaner energy for its customers, Duke Energy Carolinas (DEC) today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 500 megawatts (MW) of wind capacity that would be delivered to its transmission system.

Results from the RFP could bring clean wind energy to the Carolinas and help DEC meet North Carolina's 2007 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard (REPS) that mandates the company generate 12.5 percent of its retail sales in the state by renewable energy or energy efficiency programs by 2021, and continuing afterward.

'As costs in the wind sector decline and capacity factors increase, now is an excellent time to pursue wind energy for the Carolinas,' said Rob Caldwell, president, Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. 'Our experience in wind energy spans more than a decade, so we are excited to evaluate this resource for the benefit of our customers.'

Wind energy will be a strong complement to the company's already extensive solar energy portfolio here in the Carolinas, providing energy during times that solar is not typically available, and it will further diversify the company's fuel mix.

The RFP is open to existing or new wind generation facilities - from 100 to 500 MW of delivered capacity - that can be transported into DEC's transmission system by the end of 2022. Although Duke Energy owns and operates more than 35 solar facilities in the Carolinas, it does not currently purchase any wind capacity for customers in the region.

The generation sources can be located in the Carolinas or elsewhere.

The RFP allows bidders the flexibility to offer three options:

• Purchased power proposals - from five to 20 years in duration.

• Build, own and transfer proposals in which Duke Energy takes ownership of the new facility.

• Purchase existing facilities.

Duke Energy is a leading renewable energy company in the United States, having invested nearly $6 billion in renewables resources. The company's growing portfolio of renewable assets includes 20 wind projects and more than 60 solar facilities in operation in more than a dozen states, totaling more than 3,000 MW in electric-generating capacity.

About the RFP

More information about the RFP is available at PowerAdvocate, a web-based platform that provides centralization of proposals and communications while maintaining confidentiality among respondents.

For those with an existing PowerAdvocate supplier account:

• Organizations can share their interest in reviewing the response package for Event #66730, DEC Wind RFP - 2017 at: DECRenewableRFP@duke-energy.com. The email should include the PowerAdvocate supplier account name and contact name as listed under the supplier account.

For those who need to register for a new PowerAdvocate supplier account:

• Please visit PowerAdvocate.com, click on the 'Registration' link at the top right-hand corner of the screen, and follow the instructions to complete registration as a supplier for Event # 66730, DEC Wind RFP - 2017. Following approval as a supplier by PowerAdvocate, please share your interest in reviewing the response package for Event #66730, at DECRenewableRFP@duke-energy.com. The email should include the PowerAdvocate supplier account name and contact name as listed under the supplier account.

Proposals should be submitted through PowerAdvocate on or before 5 p.m. EST Sept. 27, 2017.

About Duke Energy

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is one of the largest energy holding companies in the United States. Its Electric Utilities and Infrastructure business unit serves approximately 7.5 million customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest. The company's Gas Utilities and Infrastructure business unit distributes natural gas to approximately 1.6 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. Its Commercial Renewables business unit operates a growing renewable energy portfolio across the United States.

Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com.

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

Media contact: Randy Wheeless

Office: 704.382.8379

24-Hour: 800.559.3853

Email:Randy.Wheeless@duke-energy.com

Twitter: @DE_RandyW