Dive Brief:
- Tennessee Valley Authority is considering selling the unfinished Bellefonte Nuclear Plant in Alabama, the Associated Press reports. Construction on the facility was begun in 1974, but was halted decades ago.
- While no pricetag was set, the federal utility has spent $4 billion on the plant.
- TVA said last year it was halting all development of the plant, turning instead to focus more heavily on gas-fired generation and efficiency, and less on nuclear power. the utility operates about 6,700 MW of nuclear capacity.
Dive Insight:
The Bellefonte Nuclear Plant could be for sale, and if you've got a few billion to spare, here's what you'd get: Parking lots. Transmission equipment. Rail lines, a heli-pad and multiple finished buildings. And, of course, a matching pair of unfinished nuclear reactors.
According to the AP, TVA is considering putting the unfinished plant up for sale, less than a year after the utility said it was permanently halting construction. No price tag is set, but TVA has spent $4 billion on the facility to date.
The Bellefonte Nuclear project was begun the 1970s but mothballed in the late 80s, when power consumption began to decline. Despite that, TVA faces an energy shortage through 2033. But the utility has said it will focus on gas generation and demand management, rather than continue to pursue construction of Bellefonte.
The utility operates several nuclear reactions including three at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, two at Sequoyah Nuclear Plant and one at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. In 2007, TVA approved the completion of a second reactor at Watts Bar Nuclear Plant, which will have a 1,150 MW generating capacity. The utility also has almost 12,000 MW of coal-fired capacity.
A comment period has been opened to the public on whether to monetize the 1,600-acre site. While it could still be used as a nuclear plant, TVA also said it could have residential, commercial or industrial uses.
The public comment period will close in a month.
