Fri
Jun 19 2026
11:07 am

TVA considering rate changes due to data centers

As discussions of data centers that require high power loads continue to develop, the Tennessee Valley Authority is considering changing its rates in a way to accommodate the growing demands without placing undue cost increases on residents.
...
In May, 2026, the TVA shared a letter with 6 News that it sent to local power companies in February to begin the rate-changing process. The utility provider explained that it has continued to have frequent discussions with those local power companies and other customers about the proposed changes, and the TVA will be proposing actions for implementation to its board of directors in August at the earliest.
...
TVA spokesperson Scott Brooks explained that in the last year, data centers made up around 18% of the TVA’s overall industrial load, and that number is expected to double by the year 2030.
...
if it approved all of the data centers interested in coming to East Tennessee, there would be an increased power demand of 11,000 megawatts.
...
According to KUB’s website, there are currently three data centers in its service area that have a range of energy usage. The largest of those data centers is contracted to use up to 73 megawatts of power...

From my research,
73 megawatts powers approximately 45,000 homes

11,000 megawatts powers approximately 5-6 million homes in the South or nearly 10 million in the Northeast

More needs to be done to rein in power consumption by these new "data centers." Then there is the noise problem and possible air pollution and water usage issues. Are they even that necessary?

TN Progressive

TN Politics

Knox TN Today

Local TV News

News Sentinel

    State News

    Wire Reports

    Lost Medicaid Funding

    To date, the failure to expand Medicaid/TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding. (Source)

    Search and Archives