Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative ran into some issues this morning when one of the six diesel engines providing generator power to Hatteras and Ocracoke during a scheduled maintenance project stopped running.
The engine was down for about two hours, and, with electric usage reaching peak load, the cooperative issued a conservation notice to members.
CHEC was able to restart the diesel engine around 10 a.m., but Laura Ertle, director of public relations and marketing, said the cooperative is letting the conservation notice in place for today, and may for tomorrow’s scheduled work also.
The scheduled maintenance is being done at the Waves substation, and began at 6 a.m. with a power outage in Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. It will end about 4 p.m. this afternoon with another power outage of approximately 30 minutes. Avon will also have a brief outage at 4:30 p.m.
The same planned outages are scheduled for Tuesday — 6 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the tri-villages and 4:30 in Avon.
The islands will be on generator power during the scheduled work — until 4 p.m. this afternoon and from 6 a.m. until 4 p.m. Tuesday.
CHEC requests that members take the following steps to conserve power:
If your air conditioning is on, please turn your thermostat up.
If you must wash clothes, please use the cold water setting on your washing machine.
Turn off the pre-rinse and heat-dry setting on your dishwasher.
Keep ceiling fans turned off.
Turn off and unplug appliances when not in use.
If for any reason power does not return after the planned outages, members should call 866-511-9862.
