As the Tennessee Valley battled the coldest temperatures of the season, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) achieved a historic milestone, meeting the highest power demand in its 91-year history.
On Wednesday, January 22, TVA delivered a record-breaking 35,319 megawatts of electricity at 8 a.m. Central Time as the system temperature hit a frigid 11 degrees. This surpassed the previous peak of 34,577 megawatts set during Winter Storm Heather on January 17, 2024. Despite the intense demand, TVA’s power system remained stable and reliable throughout the event.
TVA attributes its success to significant investments in infrastructure and preparation. In fiscal year 2024 alone, TVA invested $430 million to enhance the reliability and resiliency of its power generation fleet, which includes natural gas, coal, and hydro facilities. Thousands of winter-readiness activities, including inspections and procedural upgrades, were implemented based on lessons learned from previous cold weather events.
Because the Tennessee Valley’s population is growing three times faster than the national average, TVA is planning for the future by investing nearly $16 billion over the coming years. This includes adding 3,500 megawatts of additional generation, 1,400 megawatts of which were completed last year, along with 800 megawatts of secured solar energy.