With the coldest temperatures in more than a year expected to arrive overnight Wednesday, the Tennessee Valley Authority and local power companies are working to ensure the availability of safe reliable electricity.

Consumers are asked to conserve power from 3 p.m. Wednesday until further notice.

The cold weather is expected to push TVA’s power system to its limits, and measures need to be taken to ensure the system remains reliable for all power users across TVA’s seven-state service territory.

Wednesday evening’s peak power demand is expected to exceed 30,000 megawatts as regional temperatures are forecasted to drop into the single digits, according to TVA. The peak demand is expected to reach 33,000 megawatts by Thursday morning.

Jacinda Woodward, senior vice president of TVA Transmission and Power Supply said the conservation would help them meet their high demands during the cold weather.

“As we have done through the last several rounds of cold weather, TVA will use all of our available generating sources to meet the expected high power deamand, which will likely peak on Thursday morning,” Woodward said. “As consumers of TVA Power, we all can step up to help reduce power consumption and lower our own power bills at the same time.”

TVA suggests consumers conserve power by turning down thermostats by even a single degree, which can save up to 3 percent on future power bills. Consumers can also open the blinds on the south side of their home during sunny days and keep them closed at night and on cloudy days. Waiting to use appliances such as dishwashers, dryers and cooking equipment until a time other than early in the morning or early evening can save power. Nonessential lights, appliances and electronics should be turned off when not in use.

Additional information and power-saving tips can be found on TVA’s EnergyRight Solutions website.