TVA leaders discuss generation and transmission expansion, advanced nuclear innovation and ratepayer protections
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (August 17, 2026) — The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC) hosted its 2026 TVA Lunch & Learn last week, bringing together members of Tennessee’s advanced energy community for a conversation with Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) leaders about economic growth and the region’s rapidly changing power needs.
Attendees heard from Mike Skaggs, interim president and CEO of TVA, and Heidi Smith, TVA’s vice president of economic development. TAEBC Executive Director Cortney Piper moderated the event, which focused on new generation and transmission capacity, TVA’s 2026 Integrated Resource Plan, advanced nuclear and fusion projects, large-load customers, and the utility’s role in supporting investment across the seven-state Tennessee Valley region.
Smith outlined TVA’s economic development strategy to prepare communities for growth, recruit new companies and investment, and retain existing industries and talent. She highlighted TVA’s site development, technical design, research, performance-based incentive, training, and recruitment programs, as well as the TVA Certified Megasites program launched in 2004.
From fiscal years 2016 through 2026, TVA-supported projects accounted for 197,774 jobs created, 455,129 jobs retained, and $89.6 billion in capital investment across industries, including automotive, energy systems, aerospace and defense, life sciences, food and beverage, and consumer and industrial products.
“The work that we do, we do not do this work alone. We do this work in partnership,” said Smith. “We work day in and day out to provide solutions, be a partner, and fill in where we can so we can help communities achieve their goals in creating jobs and investment.”
Skaggs detailed TVA’s work to meet rising electricity demand, including 3,700 megawatts of generation under construction. Projects include the 1,450-megawatt Cumberland Combined Cycle Plant, the 1,500-megawatt Kingston Energy Complex, 500 megawatts at the New Caledonia site, and 100 megawatts at the Shawnee plant. TVA has also identified approximately 1,000 megawatts that could be added to the existing system over the next two to three years through lower-cost measures such as plant improvements and transmission upgrades.
Skaggs also discussed TVA’s 2026 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), which is expected to be presented at the utility’s August board meeting and projects annual load growth of approximately 1.7% to 1.9%. TAEBC served as a member of TVA’s 2026 IRP Working Group, providing input throughout the planning process. Skaggs said TVA is working to improve project delivery through standardized designs, simplified engineering standards, better estimating and scheduling, and reduced rework.
“We’re building out and investing in our power system, both new generation capacity and transmission system upgrades, to meet demand,” said Skaggs. “We’re going to focus on being nimble, efficient, and aligned, both inside and outside of TVA.”
The discussion also covered TVA’s seven operating nuclear reactors and its work with private-sector partners on advanced nuclear and fusion technologies. Skaggs emphasized that TVA is seeking power purchase structures that protect customers from first-of-a-kind project risks, identify power buyers in advance, and preserve TVA’s role in safe, reliable plant operations. He also discussed planning underway for potential advanced reactors at the Clinch River site and TVA’s engagement with Tennessee’s Nuclear Lifecycle Innovation Campus initiative.
Skaggs noted that TVA signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge in July, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring data center costs are not passed on to the 10 million people it serves. During the Q&A, attendees asked about artificial intelligence, data centers, and “bring your own power” arrangements. Skaggs said TVA’s approach is intended to ensure large-load customers pay their fair share and cover capacity costs associated with serving their facilities, protecting other customers from related rate impacts. Smith added that communities should evaluate any major project based on local fit, workforce, infrastructure needs, and long-term economic benefits.
TAEBC hosts annual Lunch & Learn events with TVA in support of one of the Council’s core commitments to members: supporting TVA and local power companies in their efforts to become the energy companies of the future. TAEBC’s next major event, Opportunities in Energy, will take place Nov. 17, 2026, in Knoxville. For more information, visit https://www.tnadvancedenergy.com/event/2026-opportunities-in-energy.
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About Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council (TAEBC)
TAEBC champions advanced energy as an economic development and job creation strategy. Advanced energy is technology-neutral and includes electricity and transportation. Anything that makes energy cleaner, safer, more secure, or more efficient is in the tent. No other entity in the state concentrates specifically on this robust sector. TAEBC educates public officials and business leaders about Tennessee’s advanced energy economy, establishes strategic partnerships to connect assets with opportunities, and informs policy to expand and strengthen the industry. TAEBC hosts the Energizing Tennessee podcast, which explores the latest news and insights about the advanced energy sector. For more information, visit tnadvancedenergy.com.