Duke Energy sets record for use in Carolinas

The Charlotte-based utility says it generated 17,282 megawatt-hours of electricity between 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. January 11. That topped a previous winter demand record of 16,968 megawatt hours on February 5, 2009.

Duke Energy President Brett Carter says the record shows providers need to make sure customers have a wide array of energy resources available when demand escalates.

On January 11, Raleigh-based Progress Energy said its Carolinas customers set a winter demand record, using more than 12,500 megawatt-hours of electricity during the same time frame.