Grant to help provide crucial electrical, structural upgrades at Wilson Dam

MUSCLE SHOALS — Wilson Dam on the Tennessee River is set to receive some critical upgrades thanks to a $430 million grant from the Department of Energy.

The funding, according to the agency, has been divided among 33 states for capital improvement projects. In early September, $1.92 million of the grant was given to the Tennessee Valley Authority as part of the multi-state effort to maintain and enhance hydroelectric facilities.

“The Department of Energy grant awarded to TVA will help ensure Wilson Dam remains stable, reliable, and able to provide flood control and produce carbon-free energy,” said Clarissa McClain, senior communications consultant for the TVA’s South Region. “The grant is composed of two main tasks – electrical upgrades for the Wilson Dam spillway gates and structural upgrades for the Wilson Main Lock river wall.”

McClain provided additional detail on the planned improvements on the largest conventional hydroelectric facility in the TVA system.

“The electrical upgrades involve installing newer and more reliable electrical control cabinets for the Wilson Dam spillway gates,” she said. “The structural upgrades for Wilson Main Lock include the installation of structural reinforcement in the river side lock wall to increase long term reliability of the main lock.

“These two tasks will assist TVA’s Dam Safety Program by ensuring that Wilson Dam and Lock continue to serve the public by facilitating flood control and river navigation for years to come.”

TVA dams and employees prevented an average of $309 million in potential flood damage in Alabama per year. The total damages averted is more than $10 billion since TVA’s inception in 1933.

With 21 generating units, Wilson Dam has the capacity to power more than 350,000 homes. As a national leader in dam safety, TVA is responsible for the care of 106 dams, including 90 river dams and has invested more than $1.23 billion in dam safety projects since 2010.