Tennessee Valley Authority Can Improve Estimates and Should Reassess Reserve Requirements for Nuclear Power Plants

The policies and procedures used by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in the development of cost and schedule estimates for the construction of nuclear powerplants at Hartsville (Tennessee), Phipps Bend (Tennessee), and Yellow Creek (Mississippi) were reviewed. In September, 1978, TVA was operating one nuclear plant and constructing six more. TVA developed estimates of completion time without taking into account such factors as inclement weather, labor shortages, scheduling difficulties, regulatory changes, design changes, or delays in receiving supplies. Generating capacity requirements based on demand forecasts include a reserve factor of about 30 percent, which is equal to about one-third to one-half of the generating capability to be provided by TVA's seven nuclear plants.

Current estimates for each plant are understated by at least several hundred million dollars. The problem is partly attributable to the use of construction schedules which depend on optimum conditions for success and are probably unachievable. The understatements are not of sufficient magnitude, however, to offset the cost advantages calculated for nuclear facilities. Although the most recent TVA estimates indicate that electricity requirements during the 1980's may be less than previously expected, there is a need for a greater operating capacity than will be available from plants now operating or under construction.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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