COWANS FORD, N.C. — With extreme temperatures hitting the Carolinas, Duke Energy is doing what it can to keep up with the spike in power usage.
Channel 9 got a look at the hydroelectric dam in Cowans Ford Friday. The dam will kick on when peak demand hits, between 4 and 6 p.m.
"We're saving the water supply for the afternoon peak," said Michael Brissie, the manager of the hydro plant. "This has been the highest demand across the system so far this season."
The jump in demand is mostly because of air conditioners. Duke uses the water from Lake Norman to generate enough power to make up the difference from a normal day.
"Use the forecast, and predict how much power will be used -- hydro is something that kicks in because of customer demand," said Brissie.
Droughts have dropped the lake level the last couple years, which reduced how much power the plant could generate.
This year though, they have plenty of power stored up.
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