President’s Message – January 2026

Working Together to Lower Demand

When outdoor temperatures drop, electricity use naturally rises. Colder weather drives us indoors, where we rely more heavily on home heating systems, more lighting, and household appliances. Heating systems run longer and more frequently to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. Combine that with the fact that most people use electricity at the same times—typically in the mornings and early evenings—and the result is significant pressure on our electric grid.

Gulf Coast Electric Cooperative (GCEC) works closely with PowerSouth Energy Cooperative, our wholesale power supplier, to plan for these seasonal weather patterns and changes and ensure you have reliable power whenever you need it. This partnership involves detailed resource and infrastructure planning. However, it’s important to remember our local system is part of much larger regional and national electric grids.

During winter, when homes and businesses across the country are using more electricity simultaneously, overall demand can approach—or occasionally exceed—available supply. This is especially true during severe weather events, such as ice storms, sudden temperature drops or equipment malfunctions that reduce generation capacity. In rare cases when demand threatens to outpace supply, the regional grid operator may call for temporary, controlled outages, often referred to as rolling blackouts, to prevent broader system failures.

To prepare for these scenarios and minimize risks, GCEC and our power supplier take proactive measures to strengthen reliability year-round. These include routine system maintenance, investments in grid modernization, and comprehensive disaster response planning. We constantly work to improve reliability through projects such as tree trimming and inspections by drone. These proactive steps are designed to ensure our portion of the grid remains resilient even under extreme conditions. Yet, maintaining a reliable electric system requires a collective effort—and every member plays an important role in lowering demand when the grid is under stress.

You can help by taking simple actions during periods of high electricity use, especially on the coldest days of winter:

• Lower your thermostat slightly. Even reducing the temperature by a few degrees can help.
• Delay using large appliances during peak hours, which are usually from 5 to 7 a.m. on cold mornings, especially weekdays. Run dishwashers, washing machines, and dryers during off-peak hours—typically midday or late evening.
• Adjust your water heater. Setting it to 120 degrees and spacing out showers helps conserve energy and hot water.
• Unplug unnecessary devices. Power used for lighting and electronics adds up and accounts for a significant portion of home energy use. Disconnect unused items to reduce energy waste.

Understanding how winter weather affects electricity demand is key to maintaining system reliability. By practicing simple energy conservation habits at home, you not only save money on your monthly bill, but you also help strengthen the resilience of the grid that powers our community. Together, through small actions and shared awareness, we can ensure our homes remain warm, our lights stay on, and our local grid continues to serve us reliably throughout the season.