Resources & Stats

TVA Restarts Browns Ferry Reactor After Two-Decade Hiatus

Operation of the refurbished Browns Ferry 1 reactor in Alabama in late May provides an excellent case study for other energy companies interested in building new nuclear power plants in the United States.

The Tennessee Valley Authority’s reactor had been shut down for more than two decades, yet the five-year, $1.8 billion restart effort has important implications for the construction of new U.S. nuclear plants. Perhaps most importantly, it demonstrates the ability of the industry to undertake major projects and complete them on time and within budget expectations.

For the industry, which has been taking steps toward building new reactors, TVA’s accomplishment is welcome news. Today, 17 companies and consortia are exploring the construction of as many as 31 new reactors.

“Returning Browns Ferry 1 to our nuclear fleet gives TVA another dependable, safe and emissions-free source of generation to help meet the growing demand for power in the Tennessee Valley,” said Tom Kilgore, the company’s president and chief executive officer.

Nuclear Energy Insight