Cold Weather Creates Record TVA Power Delivery Day

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Arctic temperatures that averaged in single digits across much of the Tennessee Valley on Thursday, Feb. 19, resulted in record electricity demand of 694 gigawatt-hours for the 24-hour period.

That’s the most energy ever required over a one-day period during February in Tennessee Valley Authority history and the third most overall for a 24-hour period. The all-time one-day record occurred last winter when demand reached 703 gigawatt-hours on Jan. 7, 2014.

With rising temperatures on Friday afternoon and over the weekend, energy demand is expected to decline but remain above normal levels. While the need to conserve power has diminished, consumers should still consider following the simple tips found on TVA’s EnergyRight website to save on their own electric bills, including:

• Lowering your thermostat a degree or two.
• Opening blinds on the south side of your home during sunny days, but closing them during cloudy periods and at night.
• If not using your fireplace, ensuring that your fireplace flue is closed.

Weather forecasts are also calling for potential precipitation, including ice, over sections of TVA’s service territory. Ice weighs down power lines and trees, creating conditions for localized power outages. For your safety, always treat a downed power line as if it is energized and immediately contact 9-1-1 and your local power company.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is a corporate agency of the United States that provides electricity for business customers and local power distributors serving 9 million people in parts of seven southeastern states. TVA receives no taxpayer funding, deriving virtually all of its revenues from sales of electricity. In addition to operating and investing its revenues in its electric system, TVA provides flood control, navigation and land management for the Tennessee River system and assists local power companies and state and local governments with economic development and job creation.