Following a multi-year process with public input, the Tennessee Valley Authority has completed the environmental review for the proposed Allen Aeroderivative Combustion Turbine Project in Memphis, Tennessee, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), TVA reported in late December.
TVA has signed a Record of Decision (ROD), noting its intent to move forward with the project, and has received an approved air permit from the Shelby County Department of Health.
The six aeroderivative natural gas combustion turbine units will add approximately 200 megawatts of new power generation to be used in times of peak demand.
Building the units at the existing CT facility will minimize new ground disturbances and utilize existing natural gas and transmission infrastructure. These units will strengthen TVA’s ability to meet growing demand, while improving reliability and transmission stability across western Tennessee, TVA said.
These peaking units can quickly reach full capacity, operate flexibly with synchronous condenser capabilities to improve grid resiliency, and provide black start capability to restore power during an outage.
With black start capability, the units can start without needing to rely on external power. The aeroderivative CT units will be equipped with state-of-the-art control systems to minimize air emissions.
The project will generate roughly 200 jobs over the course of the 15 months of construction.
Once complete in 2027, the new Allen Aeros facility would have five full-time employees to operate and maintain the plant.
