Power & IndustrialFinance

TVA Is Pleased with Response to Call for Bids to Buy Mothballed Nuclear Site

The Tennessee Valley Authority said it is pleased with the response to its request for bids to buy the partially completed Bellefonte nuclear-power site in Alabama. TVA won’t release the number of bids received or the identity of the bidders, citing confidentially agreements. The minimum bid for the 1,600-acre site on the Tennessee River was $36.4 million. The federal power producer has invested about $5 billion at the site, where two nuclear units and their cooling towers sit. Construction was about 90% complete when it was suspended in 1988. Qualified bidders will take part in an auction in October.

Looking for quick answers on construction and engineering topics?
Try Ask ENR, our new smart AI search tool. Ask ENR →

KEYWORDS: nuclear power TVA

Mary B. Powers has reported on engineering and construction issues in the global energy and environmental sectors for more than 30 years from Washington, D.C. and Birmingham, Ala. She formerly wrote for the Platt's group of energy sector publications under McGraw Hill and S&P Global that included Inside Energy and Megawatt Daily, and was state editor for the Lexington, Ky., Herald Leader. Mary has a master’s degree in journalism from The American University.

Post a comment to this article

Join Groundbreaking Women in Construction (GWIC) in San Diego from June 14 to 16, 2026. This premier leadership conference brings together women across the construction industry to gain practical strategies, grow their network, and advance their careers. Learn from ENR-curated sessions, connect with trailblazing professionals, and walk away with tools that drive retention, innovation, and impact.

Live: June 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm EDT New market dynamics like competitive pressures and workforce evolutions are forcing construction companies to re-prioritize their investments. To strengthen cash flow, accelerate operations, and boost profits, learn how the focus now must be on optimizing digital transformation and financial management.