TVA expects highest ever system peak Tue. afternoon into Wed. morning

TOP PHOTO: LUB’s Ryan Evans preparing for the brutally cold temperatures tonight.  

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – “This snow Monday was the best kind of snow for power systems to get as opposed to wet, heavy snow and ice,” said Kenny Baird, general manager of the La Follette Utilities Board. As far as Monday went, there were very few power outages on what ended up being a routine day of outages, according to Baird. However, it’s the single digits, the extremely cold temps, that are of the most concern to Baird and LUB and TVA.

Listen for Kenny Baird’s full interview HERE on demand.

“TVA is saying now that it’s expecting its highest ever system peak in its 90 plus year history,” said Baird. That would be 36,000 megawatts compared to its current record of 33,000 set in the December 2022 storm.

Peak hours will be from 4pm Tuesday through 10am to Wednesday, according to Baird. TVA is taking steps to conserve energy during this very cold stretch. Baird said the first step would be for TVA offices and local power companies like LUB to turn back thermostats and turn off unneeded lights. The next step would be a public appeal for customers to do the same. “Obviously, we’re going to stay warm during this time,” said Baird.

“TVA’s not called for any of that yet, but I’m thinking TVA will. I think, maybe, if we can give the public kind of a heads up that they are not calling for any rolling blackouts like last year,” said Baird.

Baird said TVA is doing a good job of communicating with us, and I’m trying to do a good job of communicating with the public through WLAF now. “We’ll know a little more when Tuesday’s temperature predictions come out. TVA will let us know if they will implement any of its steps,” said Baird. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 01/16/2024-6AM-PHOTOS COURTESY OF BRANDON SHOWN)

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