The new record comes after TVA spent $430 million in fiscal year 2024, which ended Sept. 30, enhancing the reliability of its hydroelectric dams, coal and gas plants. At the John Sevier Combined Cycle Plant in Rogersville, the winter readiness changes include heated cables and insulation to keep pipes from freezing.

As the coldest temperatures so far this winter settled into the region this week, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s reliable and resilient power generation system met the highest peak demand in the agency’s over 91-year history.

The Tennessee Valley Authority said power demand reached 35,319 megawatts while the system temperature dropped to around 11 degrees.