Reviving an old site for new energy
At a conference in Knoxville, Mike Skaggs, the interim chief executive of the Tennessee Valley Authority, confirmed that TVA is moving quickly to build advanced small modular reactors at Bellefonte, an unfinished nuclear plant in Alabama. This initiative aims to bring new life to old infrastructure and leverage existing land for modern energy production. The federal utility is looking to breathe new energy into long-idle sites, focusing on the Bellefonte plant and other abandoned nuclear facilities throughout the South.
During his remarks, Skaggs outlined plans to construct next-generation boiling water reactors at the Bellefonte site. These reactors are of the same type found at TVA’s active Browns Ferry plant but are part of a new design developed by GE Vernova Hitachi. The GE model features a 300-megawatt capacity. Additionally, TVA is examining similar reactor developments at the Clinch River Nuclear Site in Oak Ridge. This strategy reflects a focus on modernizing the nuclear energy portfolio.
The financial structure for the Bellefonte project is being worked out with Japanese financial institutions. Recently, the Trump administration brokered a $40 billion trade agreement between the U.S. and Japan, which includes substantial Japanese financial support for advanced nuclear technology. Skaggs highlighted the momentum behind the negotiations, though he stopped short of confirming final agreements have been reached.
Turning old failures into new opportunities
The Bellefonte plant has long served as a symbol of TVA’s earlier misjudgments. Construction ceased in 1988 after 14 years and billions of dollars were spent. The facility appears from the outside to be fully operational, yet it has never produced a single unit of electricity. In the 1970s and 80s, TVA started construction on 17 large-scale nuclear reactors but completed only seven. These unfinished projects have become reminders of outdated projections.
TVA is now looking to repurpose these old failures into new successes. Alongside work at Bellefonte, the utility is engaging with Entra1 Energy, a Houston-based company, to build small modular reactors near Hartsville, Tennessee. This site is located about 50 miles northeast of Nashville in Trousdale County. TVA recently demolished a cooling tower at the site, signaling a shift toward new development.
A national strategy, backed by the White House
TVA plays a unique role in the resurgence of nuclear energy in the U.S. As a government agency, TVA delivers power to over 10 million customers in the South, with its operations largely funded through electricity sales. The agency already operates one of the largest nuclear programs in the country, with active plants in Tennessee and Alabama.
Last year marked a milestone for TVA as it submitted the first application for a construction permit for a small modular reactor. Approval could come by the end of the year, as the Trump administration is accelerating the regulatory process. Skaggs has improved relations with the administration compared to his predecessors, and his leadership has brought stability to this partnership.
Skaggs has outlined a four-part strategy to advance nuclear projects. First, funding must come from external sources, as TVA is constrained by a $30 billion debt limit set by Congress in 1979. Second, companies that will purchase the energy must be involved in the development process and potentially contribute to funding. This model has already been applied in collaborations with Kairos Power and Google. Third, TVA aims to reduce any risks to itself and its customers. Fourth, the utility will retain control as the operator of the new reactors.
Skaggs emphasized his commitment to expanding nuclear energy and fulfilling the White House’s expectations. His message was delivered at the Nuclear Opportunities Workshop in Knoxville, an annual event organized by the East Tennessee Economic Council. This event brings together leaders from the industry, government, and academia to explore nuclear research, development, and economic opportunities in the region. The workshop highlights the growing interest in nuclear energy and the role TVA plays in leading the charge.