Electricity is essential for nearly every aspect of daily life—so essential that we rarely think about how it’s generated and delivered to our homes. Behind the scenes, a network of experts works to anticipate how much electricity you need before you even use it.

We’re all connected to the electric grid, so ensuring the right amount of electricity for all involves a complex process of forecasting energy demand, planning for capacity, and securing enough supply to meet our members’ needs.

Pee Dee Electric remains committed to providing affordable, reliable energy to the members we serve. That’s why we are preparing now for increased demand and other challenges that could compromise our local electric supply.

At Pee Dee Electric, we work closely with North Carolina Electric Membership Corporation (NCEMC), our local wholesale power partner, to secure enough electricity for our communities. NCEMC uses a diverse mix of energy sources to generate the power we deliver to the homes and businesses served by Pee Dee Electric and other electric cooperatives across the state. This diverse energy mix includes nuclear, natural gas, renewables, coal, and hydropower. Because Pee Dee Electric works with our wholesale power partner, which is also a cooperative, we pool resources and expertise to deliver reliable and affordable power to our local communities.

Electricity supply changes throughout the day because demand fluctuates based on consumers’ needs. For example, Pee Dee Electric knows that we need to ensure more electricity in the mornings when you start your day, and then in the evenings when you cook dinner, run appliances and watch TV. Demand also increases when weather patterns change, such as extremely hot or cold temperatures.

As the energy sector continues to undergo rapid change, it is important for members to understand the basics of electricity supply and demand.

Electricity use in the U.S. is expected to rise to record highs this year and next, with the demand expected to at least double by 2050. At the same time, energy policies are pushing the early retirement of always-available generation sources, which will compromise reliable electricity.

Pee Dee Electric remains committed to providing affordable, reliable energy to the members we serve. That’s why we are preparing now for increased demand and other challenges that could compromise our local electric supply.

Balancing electricity supply and demand is a complex task. A network of utilities, power plant operators, and energy traffic managers work together to direct electricity flow and keep the grid stable. Our members play a vital role in this network by conserving energy and managing usage, helping us in our mission to power a brighter future.