The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) terminated “planned intermittent interruptions,” known as rolling blackouts, across Tennessee and beyond on Saturday. TVA thanked the public for its “patience,” adding that the blackouts were necessary to “maintain grid stability for 10 million people across seven states.”
We have ended planned intermittent interruptions, also known as rolling blackouts. We appreciate your patience as we worked with our 153 local power companies and industrial customers to manage record-setting power demand. pic.twitter.com/zOMk9XMsKJ
— Tennessee Valley Authority (@TVAnews) December 24, 2022
TVA announced Saturday that cold conditions across the area resulted in an “all-time December peak for power demand, as previously reported by The Tennessee Star. In a 24-hour period, TVA announced that it had supplied more power – 740 gigawatt-hours – than at any other time in its history.
“We are grateful for our 153 local power companies and industrial customers who have been key partners in weathering this extraordinary event,” Don Moul, TVA’s chief operating officer said in a statement.
Several power companies across Tennessee confirmed TVA’s termination of the rolling blackouts, including Nashville Electric Service which added that it “needs help” from its customers with “voluntary power conservation.”
#NESOutageAlert
After several hours of rotating, intermittent power outages this morning, NES is ceasing the TVA-mandated curtailment now that TVA reports the power grid has stabilized. 1/7— Nashville Electric Service (@NESpower) December 24, 2022
Dickson Electric System also confirmed the termination of TVA’s mandate, adding its appreciation for its customers.
🎄 ROLLING BLACKOUTS COMPLETE 🎄
As of 10:30am, TVA's system is stabilizing, and the mandatory rolling outages are over. We appreciate your patience. DES crews will remain active in the community and continue to monitor our systems this holiday weekend. pic.twitter.com/J4uCWDm4by
— Dickson Electric System (@DicksonElectric) December 24, 2022
The Tennessee Titans game against the Houston Texans was delayed one hour on Saturday following requests from the Nashville mayor’s office for the team to stand “in solidarity” with fellow Tennesseans amid the rolling blackouts.
Official statement on game postponement #HOUvsTEN pic.twitter.com/NpodRkXmX3
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
Nashville Mayor John Cooper thanked the team for its decision to postpone kickoff.
I appreciate the @Titans delaying kickoff for one hour as @TVAnews commits to immediately ending the rolling blackouts. NES continues to work hard to minimize disruption for residents this holiday weekend. https://t.co/DyzcfeyjgW
— Mayor John Cooper (@JohnCooper4Nash) December 24, 2022
As cold temperatures continue to sweep the area, TVA is continuing to urge businesses and residents to “reduce electric power use as much as possible without sacrificing safety over the next 36 hours.”
A few ways TVA suggests the public conserve its power usage include:
- Lower thermostats by just one or two degrees
- Delay doing laundry or running a dishwasher until the warmest part of the day, and turn off unnecessary lights and electronics
- When the sun is out, open window coverings on the sunny side of homes and offices, but close window coverings at night and when the sun isn’t brightly shining.
“We know that asking for power conservation is challenging, especially during the holidays, and we appreciate everyone’s assistance and patience,” TVA COO Moul added. “TVA and local power companies continue to do everything possible to minimize any disruptions while ensuring that the overall power grid remains reliable.”
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Nashville Electric Service Building” by cmh2315fl. CC BY-NC 2.0.
