Santee Cooper Prepares for Upcoming Winter Weather

Santee Cooper Prepares for Upcoming Winter Weather

Posted January 29, 2026 | Media Contact

MONCKS CORNER, S.C. - Santee Cooper personnel are making preparations for the effects anticipated winter weather may have on Santee Cooper's customers. Approximately 2 million South Carolinians depend on the state-owned electric and water utility as their power source, either directly or through the state's electric cooperatives.

As of noon today, Santee Cooper moved to Operating Condition (OpCon) 4 alert status. This means there is a possible threat to Santee Cooper's electric system, but effects may be limited or uncertain.

At OpCon 4, the utility is primarily:

• Completing freeze protection checklists for generating station equipment.
• Preparing to have additional personnel on site at generating stations in the event of road closures.
• Ensuring adequate inventory of all consumables at generating stations in the event deliveries are delayed because of lengthy road closures.
• Coordinating with neighboring utilities to ensure grid reliability.

"Santee Cooper is securing resources to prepare for the frigid temperatures forecast for the weekend," said Marty Watson, Senior Director, Commercial and Customer Service. "The extreme cold weather means customers will be using more electricity. As a result, bills may increase. We encourage customers to be aware of their energy use and implement energy-saving measures to help combat higher bills."

Heating is responsible for much of the increased electricity used during extended cold weather. Heat pumps work harder and longer to make up the difference in temperatures, which increases electricity use. Cold and freezing temperatures also may cause your emergency heat, or heat strips, to activate, which uses more electricity.

Customers can take the following steps to help use less energy while staying comfortable in their homes:

• Set the thermostat to 68 degrees or lower during winter weather.
• Stay warm by bundling up in sweatshirts, sweaters, socks, slippers and/or blankets.
• Seal air leaks around windows and doors to prevent cool air from coming into your home and warm air from escaping.
• Close window coverings at night to help keep out drafts.
• Change your air filters regularly. Dirty air filters cause your heat pump to work harder.
• Avoid using large appliances, like dish washers and clothes dryers, during peak hours of 6 - 9 a.m.

In addition, fuel costs also may increase with higher electricity use across the entire Southeast. Many electric utilities, including Santee Cooper, vary their fuel charges to customers based on actual decreases or increases in fuel costs. As electric demand increases during cold weather, more fuel is used to generate the electricity needed to keep up with the higher demand.

Customers can report outages and find information on storm safety, including generator and downed power line safety, at stormcenter.santeecooper.com. Customers also can report outages at 888-769-7688.