Coal

The fossil facility of today is not the same coal-fired plant of decades past. For many years, we’ve taken steps at our plants to protect our natural resources and dramatically reduce emissions.

Coal-fired plants have formed the backbone of our power system since TVA first started using them in the 1950s. However, in keeping with our commitment to generate safer, cleaner energy, we’re beginning to retire older, less efficient coal-fired plants and replacing them with low- or zero-emission electricity sources including:

Our Coal-Fired Plants

TVA’s eight active coal-fired fossil plants have a total of 35 generating units. Each unit produces electricity by burning coal in a boiler to heat water to produce steam. The steam, under tremendous pressure, flows into a turbine, which spins a generator to produce electricity. The steam is cooled, condensed back into water, and returned to the boiler to start the process over.

Find out how a coal-fired power plant works.

Read more information about each plant’s history, operations and performance—as well as installed emission-reduction technology:

Allen
Bull Run
Cumberland
Gallatin
Johnsonville
Kingston
Paradise
Shawnee

New Uses for Coal Byproducts

There's no getting around it: Burning coal creates ash. But that doesn't mean ash has to go to waste. Dry ash can be repurposed in building materials, abrasives, cement and more. Learn more about how coal ash is recycled and reused.

The Intelligent Compaction Project

TVA is pioneering new technology to become the industry leader in the dry storage of coal ash. The ash is laid down, layer by layer, and compacted by special machines that use both weight and vibration to create a pavement-like hardness. Sensors within the ash allow TVA engineers to monitor the process in real time, and keep an eye on the ash 24/7/365. Read more about the intelligent compaction project.

Plants of the Past

As TVA has shifted its portfolio to focus on clean energy, some coal plants have fallen by the wayside. Here's a look at five coal-burning giants that have been closed over the years, including—most recently—Widows Creek and Colbert fossil plants.