Entergy Louisiana breaks ground on key substation to power data center in Richland Parish
Investment in new infrastructure will transform Louisiana economy for generations
June 27, 2025 / in News Release / by Entergy Louisiana Team
RAYVILLE, La. – Entergy Louisiana has officially broken ground on the Smalling Substation, a major piece of grid infrastructure that will connect Meta’s newest and largest data center, currently under construction in Richland Parish.
The substation, which will be funded by Meta in its entirety, will play a central role in delivering electricity to the $10 billion facility, which spans more than 4-million square feet and represents one of the largest private investments in Louisiana history. The Smalling Substation will cover about 55 acres and connect to high-voltage power lines that bring energy from across the region and deliver it to the Meta site.
“Today is another tremendous milestone for Louisiana,” said Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana. “This is more than just an investment in infrastructure, it’s an investment in the people, businesses and communities of our state. Entergy Louisiana is proud to partner with Meta to bring this vision to life and support a project that will help shape the region’s future for decades to come.”
At the peak of construction, the entire project is expected to employ around 6,000 workers. The scale of the project is expected to bring a major boost to the local economy and lay the groundwork for future development.
The project is just one part of Entergy Louisiana’s larger effort to modernize its electric system to enhance resiliency and attract more major economic development opportunities, like Meta, for the benefit of all customers across the region.
Entergy’s partnership with Meta is expected to not only power cutting-edge technology, but also drive long-term economic growth, create jobs and lower costs for customers throughout the state.
About Entergy Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1 million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of ϳԹ (NYSE: ETR), an integrated Entergy company engaged in electric power production, transmission and retail distribution operations. Entergy delivers electricity to 3 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale U.S. power generating fleets with approximately 24,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including 5,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, Entergy has annual revenues of $10 billion and approximately 12,000 employees.
About the Louisiana 100 Plan
The Louisiana 100 Plan is Entergy Louisiana’s bold, decade-long commitment to power progress across the state in honor of a century of service. Entergy has outlined six strategic goals focused on affordability, grid resilience, economic growth, job creation, community investment and volunteerism. Through this plan, Entergy aims to help keep residential electric rates low, strengthen infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, attract new industry and jobs and invest $100 million in Louisiana communities. The Louisiana 100 Plan is a clear roadmap for building a stronger, more resilient Louisiana learn more at .
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