Balancing authority Cheryl Roman works at a computer station to match power load and generation at TVA in this file photo.TVA set a new record electricity peak for the month of February today when the coldest temperatures so far this year in the Tennessee Valley pushed up power use from electric furnaces and appliances trying to cope with single-digit temperatures.
TVA estimates that power consumers used 32,109 megawatts of power at 7 a.m. today when temperatures across TVA's 7-state region fell to an average 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
TVA had a higher power peak on Jan. 7 this year at 32,723 megawatts when temperatures averaged 8 degree. TVA set its all-time winter peak a year ago when power demand during the Polar Vortex jumped to 33,352 megawatts.
But TVA has never had so much demand for power in the month of February. TVA spokesman Jim Hopson said the previous February peak was set in 2009 at 31,045 megawatts when temperatures averaged 15 degrees.
TVA is continuing to ask the 9 million persons it serves in its 7-state region to dial down their thermostats and conserve any power they can through noon Friday to help cope with the high power demand.
"We don't expect as high of a demand tomorrow morning, but the cold weather is still keeping a high demand for power and we urge consumers to avoid unnecessary power use, especially during the peak demand periods early in the morning and early in the evening," Hopson said.