A year after the Tennessee Valley Authority said its $2.1 billion Cumberland Natural Gas Plant was ahead of schedule, the project is entering its final phase before full operation and is already sending power to the region.
The news comes after a controversial start, a lawsuit, nearly four years of construction and a workforce that peaked at about 2,500 employees.
Last July, TVA officials highlighted the plant’s economic impact and projected early completion. Now, construction is winding down, testing has begun, and the plant is gradually sending megawatts to customers as it prepares to become fully operational.
Still ahead of schedule
For TVA project manager Sam Vinson, seeing the plant near completion is important for several reasons…