Colbert Fossil Plant

Colbert Fossil Plant is located on TVA’s Pickwick Reservoir on the Tennessee River in Alabama. The plant is named after George Colbert, a chief of the Chickasaw Indian Nation in the early 19th century.

Balancing efficient power production with environmental protection

Electricity is produced at Colbert’s five coal-fired units by the process of heating water in a boiler to produce steam. Under extremely high pressure, the steam flows into a turbine that spins a generator to make electricity. Colbert generates some 7.8 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity a year, enough to supply 550,000 homes.

Two generating units at Colbert set all-time continuous-run records during 2004, operating without interruptions for repairs or maintenance for longer periods than ever before.

To reduce sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions at Colbert, Units 1 through 4 use a blend of low-sulfur coal. To reduce nitrogen oxides (NO_X), all five units have low-NO_X burners, and one unit had a selective catalytic reduction system installed in 2004. View more information about emissions at Colbert and the steps TVA is taking to control them.

By 2010, TVA will have spent about $6 billion on emissions controls at its fossil-fuel plants to ensure that this power supply is generated as cleanly as possible, consistent with efficiency.

Combustion turbines

TVA added eight combustion turbine units at Colbert in the early 1970s. These units, which can burn either fuel oil or natural gas, are designed to start quickly. Although they cost more to operate than TVA’s other power sources, they are needed to meet the demand for electricity during peak operating periods.

Toxics Release Inventory

TVA is required to report annually to the Environmental Protection Agency on the amounts of chemicals released by its fossil-fuel plants. Check here for the latest data on Colbert.

Emissions Data

TVA monitors other emissions at its fossil plants, including SO₂, NO_X, CO₂, and mercury. Check here for the latest data on Colbert.