TVA and local power companies continue to monitor the dangerously cold temperatures and wind chills impacting our region over the next few days.
As of Friday morning, temperatures are averaging in the single digits across the entire region, pushing power demand past 30,000 MW. We expect power demand to remain near this level through Saturday.
The power system remains stable and thousands of public power workers at TVA and local power companies are working hard in challenging conditions to keep it that way.
TVA and local power companies have lowered their thermostats to help conserve electricity and we ask for the public to join us in taking some simple steps to reduce power use without impacting the holidays.
- Public safety is our overriding priority, so do not significantly turn down your heat, but lowering thermostats by just one or two degrees makes a big difference.
- Delay using washing machines, dryers, dishwashers and high-energy-use appliances until lateron Saturday afternoon.
- Keep window covering closed on the non-sunny side of homes but open them if bright sunlight is available to provide additional heat.
TVA actively prepares for extreme events like this all year and we are taking the necessary steps to ensure the resiliency of the power system.
- All available power generation units are online.
- We are purchasing additional power through its network of transmission interconnections that link to other regional utilities.
- We have suspended all non-emergency tests and maintenance for generating plants, switchyards, transmission lines, or other equipment that could impact the reliability of the power system. We expect this “conservative operations alert” to remain in effect until Sunday.
We will carefully monitor any changes in system condition and will communicate any additional necessary actions as soon as possible.
The extreme cold is expected to last through the weekend before warmer temperatures return to the region early next week, which will reduce power demands to more seasonal levels.