TVA sets new record for power demand

It took just over one year for the Tennessee Valley Authority to set a new record for total power demand.

Back in January of 2024, TVA set a record at 34,526 megawatts of demand, which topped a figure of 33,482 set on Aug. 16, 2007. Last Wednesday, Jan. 22, TVA topped that figure by 2 percent.

“Mother Nature brought us really cold temperatures [last] week, and TVA was ready,” said Greg Henrich, senior vice president of TVA Grid. “With your help, we’ve been able to deliver the most electricity ever used in TVA’s 90-plus year history. We saw power loads top out Wednesday morning at 35,319 megawatts. That equates to 20 million homes powered all at once.”

According to a post by TVA on social media, the company has 11,300 employees, more than 50 generating plants and provides power to 153 local power companies.

Last year, power produced at a new turbine plant near Cherokee helped bolster the grid.

This year, TVA said improvements on Unit 1 at Cherokee Dam will help improve system reliability.

Though improvements have been made, demand was so high during peak that TVA asked residents to help lower consumption by lowering thermostats to 68 degrees, lowering water heaters to 120 degrees, delay cooking, washing laundry or running the dishwasher until the warmest part of the day and unplugging devices not in use.

A few years ago, places like Muscle Shoals saw rolling blackouts because of demand. TVA has now passed two record-breaking events without having to resort to those measures.

“Achieving records does not happen by accident,” Henrich said. “It’s a strong partnership between TVA, your local power company and you. We appreciate everyone in the Tennessee Valley, both residents and businesses who heeded our call to conserve power during the peak. Working together, we were able to make history and keep everyone safe and warm.”

TVA lists the following tips to help reduce energy consumption — and power bills — during times of high demand:

• Use appliances in off-peak hours. Power use typically peaks twice a day – once in the morning, when people are ready for work, and once again during dinnertime. Use washers, dryers and dishwashers at off-peak times to reduce energy use during high-demand hours. Washing clothes and dishes with cold water can also help lower costs.
• Unplug unused electronics. Turn off non-essential appliances and lights. Those so-called vampire items can suck up energy.
• Seal air leaks. Properly weather-stripping your doors and windows can conserve heat. If it’s unsafe to drive to the store for weather stripping, use a towel to cover the gaps. “If you see light coming through the corners of your windows or underneath your door, that means air is coming in as well,” said Scott Harrell, program operations manager for TVA EnergyRight . “Simply roll up a towel and stick it against the door.”
• Embrace the sunlight. Opening curtains on sunlit windows during the day can naturally boost indoor temperatures through solar energy. Close the curtains at night to keep your home insulated and save energy.  “If you have west- or south-facing windows, you can keep those blinds open during the day,” Harrell said.
• Reverse ceiling fan direction. Most ceiling fans can run clockwise or counterclockwise – in winter, set them to run clockwise. When hot air rises, the rotation of the ceiling fan will push warm air down into the room. “By reversing your ceiling fan direction, coupled with keeping your thermostat at 68 degrees, you’ll find you can still be warm and comfortable during these colder days,” Harrell said.