GE to provide natural gas turbines for Allen Plant in Memphis

General Electric Co. has received an order from the Tennessee Valley Authority for two high-efficiency gas turbine generators to replace three coal-fired units that are being retired at the Allen Fossil Plant in Memphis. The U.S. government-owned utility supplies power to about 9 million people in seven states.

GE said the natural gas-powered generators will reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide, compared with a typical coal-fired plant. TVA's board voted in August to retire the coal-fired Allen plant and replace it with a natural-gas facility.

At the time, TVA CEO Bill Johnson said the $975 million, 1,000MW natural-gas fired plant will significantly cut emissions of carbon dioxide and gases that cause smog, while providing power to about 580,000 homes.