The Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, the Tennessee Valley Authority’s largest generating asset and the third-largest nuclear power producer in the U.S., reached an important milestone on August 1 -- 50 years in service.
On August 1, 1974, Browns Ferry Unit 1 began commercial operation. At the time Unit 1 started commercial operation, Browns Ferry’s three reactors were the first units in the world capable of producing more than 1,000 megawatts.
Today, Browns Ferry, which is located in Alabama, generates up to 3,954 MW of baseload energy, enough electricity to power more than 2 million homes and businesses across the Tennessee Valley region.
As Browns Ferry marks its 50th anniversary, TVA is making significant investments and improvements to the power plant to help ensure the energy needs of the Tennessee Valley region are met for decades to come, it noted.
“Our continued investment in Browns Ferry is a reflection of our commitment to providing an affordable, reliable, and clean energy future,” Jeff Lyash, TVA President and CEO, said. “We believe nuclear energy will play a critical role in our region and nation’s energy future. Optimizing and extending the life of facilities like Browns Ferry will ensure that we continue to deliver affordable, reliable, and clean energy for decades to come.”
Browns Ferry has approximately 1,500 workers onsite, comprised of TVA employees and contractor partners, and is a Top Quartile Fleet Performer in the nuclear industry.
Extending licenses for TVA’s nuclear fleet is a priority for TVA so it can continue to meet the load growth it is seeing in its region.
Browns Ferry is the first TVA nuclear power plant to submit an application for subsequent license renewal to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to allow all three units to continue operation for an additional 20 years after the current licenses expire.
