Memphis Regional Megasite Power Supply

Fayette and Haywood Counties, Tennessee

In June 2022, TVA completed a supplemental Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a revised Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to document the potential environmental effects of TVA’s revised proposal of constructing a new 500-kilovolt (kV) substation on an approximate 67-acre parcel and two new 161-kV single-circuit transmission line connections to Southwest Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation’s planned 161-kV substation, all of which would be located on the Memphis Regional Megasite (Megasite) property.  This EA supplements the 2016 EA below.

An integral part of TVA’s mission is to provide power to local power companies (LPC) serving the 10 million people in parts of Tennessee and six surrounding states and to promote economic development within the TVA service area. TVA provides financial assistance in the form of incentives (credits and grants) to help bring to market new/improved sites and facilities within the TVA power service area and position communities to compete successfully for new jobs and capital investment. 

The State of Tennessee’s (State) 4,100-acre Megasite is in the Stanton, Tennessee area of Fayette and Haywood counties between Memphis and Jackson. In February 2016, at the request of the State, TVA completed the Memphis Regional Megasite Power Supply EA and FONSI. The EA analyzed potential transmission line routes capable of supporting a 161-kV transmission line and/or a 500-kV transmission line in preparation of ensuring the Megasite as well as the surrounding area including Stanton had a reliable power supply after the Megasite was developed. By planning for both potential voltages the process time for siting, constructing, and placing a transmission line into operation would be reduced allowing the State to attract potential industrial tenants ready to find placement for their operations.

Following the February 2016 FONSI, TVA then purchased 158 acres of right-of-way easements with the future intent of constructing, operating, and maintaining either a 161-kV or a 500-kV double-circuit loop transmission line. These easements would accommodate various widths to allow TVA the flexibility to provide the voltage needed at the Megasite.