TVA modifies energy program to provide more access to clean, advanced energy in the region
June 22, 2020
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.– TVA announced modifications to its Flexibility Proposal that will provide greater access to advanced energy in the region. The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC), that champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy, issued the following statement from its executive director, Cortney Piper.
“The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council applauds TVA for responding to stakeholder input and market demands for more advanced energy options in a way that will allow our sector, and all sectors, of the economy to flourish. TAEBC mobilized its members and stakeholders to provide comments on this program, encouraging TVA to adopt a more technology-neutral approach to the flexible generation and procurement now being offered to local power companies in the Tennessee Valley. This news is a testament to the progress we are achieving together.”
The Flexibility Proposal gives local power companies (LPC) the opportunity to self-generate or procure distributed generation. Prior to the TVA-endorsed LPC Flexibility Proposal, LPC’s were restricted from generating or procuring their own energy from local, distributed sources, due to the limitations of the TVA wholesale power contract provisions.
This modification represents a potential increase of more than one gigawatt of distributed, advanced energy in the Valley. The notable increase comes from a change in solar energy calculations, which is the technology that appears to be in highest demand.
“Economic development is at the core of TAEBC’s mission – enhancing public-private partnerships with local power companies is a huge next step forward in creating jobs and capital investment in the rural communities, and all communities, served by TVA,” added Piper.
TAEBC’s 2018 “Tennessee Advanced Energy Economic Impact Report” found that nearly 360,000 Tennesseans are employed in the state’s advanced energy economy, it includes more than 18,000 businesses that contribute almost $40 billion to the state’s GDP.
About the Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council champions advanced energy as a job creation and economic development strategy. It educates public officials and business leaders about the value and job creation potential of Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy that expands and strengthens the industry. For more information, visit www.tnadvancedenergy.com/
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