x
Breaking News
More () »

Bitter cold prompts near-record winter demand for TVA

TVA says it saw its "sixth highest winter peak in TVA history" as arctic temperatures settled across the South early Thursday.

The Tennessee Valley Authority is reporting a sixth highest winter peak in TVA history.

Thursday morning's peak power demand was approximately 32,513 megawatts at a system average temperature of 14 degrees at 9 a.m.

TVA saw near record winter energy use Wednesday morning as millions of customers sought to ward off the sub-freezing cold that's blanketing the South.

Peak power demand for the giant utility registered at 31,640 megawatts at 10 a.m. Wednesday. Average temperatures at the time were about 12 degrees.

Related: Brutally cold day ahead

TVA termed it the "11th highest winter peak in TVA history."

More: How to reduce your bill

Temperatures plunged Tuesday into Wednesday as an arctic front moved into the Knoxville-based TVA's seven-state service area. TVA provides power to utilities such as KUB that then turn around and service their customer base.

Source: TVA

The winter season has proved a bitterly cold one. Sub-freezing temperatures prevailed around Christmastime and earlier this month.

On the Thursday after Christmas, TVA saw power demand that registered as the second highest in history between Christmas and New Year's.

In early January, TVA reached its highest power demand since 2015, at more than 30,000 megawatts. The utility also set a holiday record on New Year's Day by reaching 28,891 megawatts.

TVA relies on multiple sources to generate power including nuclear energy, imported wind-driven energy and coal.

TVA offers tips for saving money during the winter here.

Before You Leave, Check This Out