TAMPA, Fla. — Power companies are preparing to handle an increase in demand on the power grid over the Christmas weekend.
Temperatures are expected to drop below freezing Friday night into Saturday morning, with wind chills in the 20s.
Duke Energy says its grid can handle the increase in demand, and that utilities statewide will work together to make sure customers don’t lose power.
“All the utilities throughout Florida and even nationally, we are interconnected,” said Ana Gibbs with Duke Energy. “So if one of us does need extra electricity, extra energy during a time of extreme demand, we are actually able to buy power — it’s called purchase power, from a neighboring utility so that we can serve our customers better.”
Local shelters will begin opening across the Tampa Bay area Friday afternoon, and are expected to remain open through at least Christmas morning.
Local fire departments are reminding people that may rely on space heaters to use them safely.
Keep space heaters far away from furniture, curtains or anything else that could catch fire.
And never use a space heater with an extension cord.
