Alcoa begins modernization project in western North Carolina

Alcoa announced the kickoff of a $110 million modernization project at Cheoah Dam, one of four hydroelectric dams that make up Alcoa Power Generating Inc.’s Tapoco Project.  This modernization effort demonstrates Alcoa's commitment to follow through on its relicensing commitments in a timely manner.


Alcoa kicks-off Cheoah Dam Modernization Project: 
New generators, turbines, transformers to increase efficiency

Alcoa today kicked off a $110 million modernization project at Cheoah Dam, one of four hydroelectric dams that make up Alcoa Power Generating Inc.’s Tapoco Project.  The modernization effort will increase the dam’s efficiency and energy output and increase the life of the dam by at least another 40-50 years.

“Hydropower is clean, renewable, reliable and efficient,” said Rick Bowen, Alcoa Energy President. “These attributes equal sustainability – sustainable energy and sustainable jobs. That’s why we are looking forward to replacing the four 90-year-old Francis turbines with four new high-efficiency turbines, generators, and transformers which will provide an additional 22 megawatts of generating capacity at APGI’s Tapoco Cheoah plant.”

The modernization follows the recent relicensing of the Tapoco project by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The new 40-year license was effective March 1, 2005 and outlines protection, mitigation, and enhancement measures for the Project that address ecological resources as well as other beneficial uses of the Cheoah and Little Tennessee Rivers, including hydropower generation, watershed protection, endangered species enhancement, fish passage and recreational opportunities.

Click here to read the complete press release.

When the Cheoah Dam was completed in 1919, it was the world’s highest overflow dam at 225 feet.  The dam was made famous by serving as the backdrop of the jump scene in the 1993 major motion picture, The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford.