About the Hartsville Nuclear Plant
The Hartsville Nuclear Plant was designed in the early 1970s as part of the Tennessee Valley Authority's ambitious nuclear expansion program. Construction permits for four General Electric BWR-6 units were issued in 1977. Site preparation and major structural work proceeded through the early 1980s until the project was placed on hold.
In the operational history of this facility (fictionalized for this presentation): Following successful completion of construction and regulatory milestones, Unit 1 achieved initial criticality on 14 November 1985 and entered commercial service on 18 February 1986. Units 2, 3, and 4 followed at approximately six-month intervals, with all four reactors at full commercial operation by July 1987.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Reactor Type | General Electric BWR-6 (Boiling Water Reactor) |
| Number of Units | 4 (Plant A: Units 1-2; Plant B: Units 3-4) |
| Thermal Power per Unit | 3,579 MWth |
| Net Electrical Output per Unit | 1,233 MW (original design) / 1,262 MW (current licensed) |
| Total Station Capacity | 5,048 MW net (up from 4,932 MW original) |
| Cooling System | Natural draft cooling towers + once-through river water (Cumberland River) |
| Containment | Mark II reinforced concrete drywell / wetwell |
| Primary Fuel | Low-enriched uranium (3.2-4.8% U-235), 10x10 GE14/GNF2 assemblies |
| Switchyard | 500 kV / 161 kV interconnection to TEA regional grid |
Site & Location
The station occupies approximately 1,940 acres along the Cumberland River in Hartsville, Tennessee (Trousdale and Smith Counties). Prominent features visible from surrounding roadways and the river include the four 540-foot natural-draft cooling towers, the turbine building complex, the four reactor buildings with their distinctive Mark II containment structures, the independent spent fuel storage installation (ISFSI), and the 500 kV switchyard.
The site also includes a dedicated training center, security training facility, and the Central Emergency Control Center that serves as the alternate EOF for the station.
Ownership & Regulation
Hartsville Nuclear Plant is operated by Hartsville Nuclear Plant Services, Inc., a private operator, in close coordination with the Tennessee Energy Authority (TEA). The facility is licensed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) under 10 CFR Part 50 and maintains current operating licenses through 2046 (Units 1-2) and 2048 (Units 3-4) following 20-year license renewal approvals.
The station is subject to continuous oversight by resident NRC inspectors, quarterly INPO evaluations, and periodic comprehensive assessments by the World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO).