Despite rain, TVA hydroelectric plants struggle to produce power

Despite rain, TVA hydroelectric plants struggle to produce power

By ANN KEIL
6 News Reporter

LENOIR CITY (WATE) -- The hydroelectric plants on the Tennessee Valley Authority grid are still struggling to produce power, even with all the recent rainfall in East Tennessee.

TVA officials blame the recent droughts.

"We began this year in January about 30 inches below normal for rainfall since 2007," says TVA spokesman Gil Francis.

At this point, rainfall is still below normal. When you look at the total TVA coverage area, which includes seven states, hydroelectric generation is only at 80 percent.

It's also important to point out, the electricity produced is combined and then distributed based on need.

"When you hear the weather forecast, and they talk about rainfall for the area, we may in fact be 100 percent of normal for the year, but for TVA, we cover an area of 40,000 square miles." Francis explains.

While there are multiple environmental and financial benefits for this source of electricity, Francis says using water for power isn't as simple as it may seem.

And at this point, it won't keep your monthly power bill down.

"There is a balance. You have to make sure you have enough water for navigation, for water supply for recreation in addition to power generation. But if you get too much water like we did early in May, you have to move some of it," Francis says.

Francis continues to stress the importance of hydroelectric power, 60 percent of the electricity produced by TVA comes from coal-fired power plants.

Although hydroelectric power won't help keep more money in your pocket, TVA's quarterly fuel cost adjustment will decrease by about four percent beginning July 1.

That translates into a $2.00 to $5.00 savings on your monthly power bill, as long you don't blast your air conditioning.