Transmission

You may never give any thought to our extensive power transmission system. That’s because we’re doing our job. We’ve delivered 99.999 percent reliability since the year 2000.

As one of the largest transmission systems in North America, TVA’s 16,400 miles of line—enough to span the United States six times over—provide the critical link that connects power from our generating plants through a network of 153 local power providers to 10 million people in the Tennessee Valley across 80,000 square miles in seven states.

We continually invest in new transmission lines and facilities to ensure we can deliver power reliably where and when it’s needed, regardless of fluctuations in demand or weather. And we work to protect our lines by caring for them through intelligent right of way policies.

TVA is always working to keep the power system strong. In 2024, TVA spent extra money to make the system even more reliable. Over the next five years, TVA will invest more money to upgrade power lines and other important equipment. TVA is also building a new control center with modern technology to help make sure the power stays on, even when the system is under stress.

TVA’s power system is built to be strong and dependable. TVA works with local partner companies to keep electricity very reliable while still keeping costs low. Because TVA uses many different kinds of power — like nuclear, natural gas, hydro and more — it can send electricity from several sources when people need it. TVA’s transmission lines are also connected to other parts of the country, so TVA can buy extra power if demand suddenly gets very high.

TVA plans ahead. A special team watches the weather all the time so TVA knows when people will need more electricity. When TVA expects high demand, the team adjusts which power plants are running and how electricity moves through the power lines. If the demand becomes higher than expected, TVA has strong emergency plans ready to help keep the power on for everyone.

Check out our Current TVA Transmission System Projects webpage!

Meet Our Linemen

Maintaining Our Rights of Way

Nationwide, power outages cause an estimated $80 billion in damage to our economy each year. Many outages happen when trees and power lines are too close together.

To provide reliable power to homes and businesses across the region, we spend considerable effort keeping transmission rights of way clear of trees and plants that could cause power outages or fires, or impede necessary repairs after storms or tornados.

Find out more about these efforts and how you can do your part to avoid power disruptions.

Expanding Transmission Assets

Continued investment in our transmission system helps TVA meet the daily challenge of moving power to where it is needed, regardless of weather, time of day, or competing demands.

Learn more about transmission projects currently underway.

Training to be a Lineman

What does it take to be a lineman? Climbing utility poles is not as easy as they make it look! If you're still game, check out our lineman apprentice program.

Protecting the Grid

Keeping our transmission assets safe—whether from weather events, cybersecurity threats, solar flares or potential electromagnetic pulses—is all in a day’s work for TVA.

Transmission Line 101

Ever wondered about transmission lines—where they go, how they’re built or planned for? You’ll want to see every installment of our informative new video series. If you live near the lines, don't miss it!

Right of Way Hotline

If you have questions about a right of way project, call 844-812-2626.

Safety Around Transmission Lines & Equipment

TVA owns and operates more than 16,400 miles of transmission lines and 500 substations. Although built with public safety in mind, transmission equipment can be dangerous. Please follow these cautions.

Electric and Magnet Fields

An exploration of the health effects of electric and magnetic fields finds little to link them together.

Transmission Customers & Generator Interconnection

TVA provides transmission services on a nondiscriminatory as-available basis to eligible transmission customers (including TVA, power marketers, and other qualified power providers) requiring transfers into, out of, or through the TVA system.

TVA also provides interconnection services for customers to connect to TVA's transmission system consistent with sound reliability practices. Interconnection requests can be submitted for new or materially modified generating facilities.

Details about the transmission process, including ancillary services, can be found in TVA's Transmission Service Guidelines. Details about the interconnection process can be found in TVA's Interconnection Procedures. Both documents, as well as all related procedures and data, are available on TVA's Open Access Same-Time Information System (OASIS).

TVA Antenna Collocation

With more than 100,000 transmission structures, hundreds of communication towers, and properties located throughout an 80,000-square-mile region, TVA offers the perfect solution for locating communication antennas in the Tennessee Valley. Find out more about the possibilities.