May 12-16 marksĚý, but for Entergy employees, it seems like the observance is celebrated daily.

Throughout the company’s service area, a dizzying number of projects are being planned, designed, approved, built and put into service. These projects will improve resiliency, enhance reliability, supply economic growth and meet increased residential demand for Entergy’s 3 million customers.

Interested in how the company is investing in serving customers better, both now and for the future? Below are just a few of the many initiatives active right now.

Entergy LouisianaĚýis investing more than $400 million over the next four years to upgrade approximately 730 miles of distribution and transmission lines across the state’s Capital Region. As part of the project, approximately 20,300 poles will be upgraded to withstand winds of up to 150 mph, helping to ensure the continuity of service in the face of increasingly severe weather events.

The initiative will directly benefit the Capital Region’s vital industries, as well as small businesses, schools, hospitals and residential customers that rely on affordable and reliable power. With more than $30 billion in industrial projects currently evaluating investment in the region, enhanced grid reliability is a critical factor in supporting continued economic growth.

Learn more about future projects in theĚý.

Entergy TexasĚýis roughly 70% complete with construction of the Orange County Advanced Power Station. The plant, designed to generate 1,215 megawatts of power, remains on track to power more than 230,000 homes by June 2026.

Bringing this massive project to life requires an impressive inventory of materials:

• Over 1.3 million feet of electrical cables
• More than 43,000 feet of underground piping
• Nearly 2,000 tons of steel
• Over 22,000 cubic yards of concrete

Entergy Texas expects energy demand across residential, commercial and industrial customer bases to increase over the next few years. This growth in energy consumption requires the Entergy Texas power grid to have an additional 1,600 megawatts of generation capacity by 2028, which is approximately 40% of current generation capacity.Ěý.

Entergy New OrleansĚýhas announced a $100 millionĚý, approved by the New Orleans City Council in October 2024. The plan reflects a commitment to strengthening the grid and creating jobs while driving long-term growth.

The first phase of work, to be completed in 2025-2026, will include 65 individual projects, strengthening 3,096 structures and upgrading 63 electric line miles.

Company employees are already working closely with local partners to help transform the city’s economic landscape in other positive ways:

• The River District Neighborhood Initiative will feature a mixed-use neighborhood with sustainable designs, green spaces, and advanced infrastructure. This project is expected to generate over $1 billion in economic activity and $43 million in annual tax revenue.
• Five O’ Four Golf, a $40 million golf-entertainment facility, will include a driving range, dining options, and other amenities, bringing jobs, tourism, and entertainment to the region.
• ,Ěýthe first site in the city to be classified as a “Certified Site” under the Louisiana Economic Development’s Certified Sites Program, will benefit residents by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and enhancing logistics and transportation services.

Entergy ArkansasĚýcontinues its plans to invest millions of dollars into grid upgrades and one example is the recently completed significant reliability upgrades in the Harrisburg community aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure, increasing resilience and reducing the risk of power interruptions. The year-long project, which includes more than two miles of new distribution lines and enhancing substation equipment, is expected to bring improved stability to the area, providing farmers and residents with the reliable power needed to operate essential irrigation systems during the hot summer months.

These upgrades represent a proactive investment in the community’s future, helping farmers, residents and local businesses thrive with expanded electrical stability. In total for this project, Entergy Arkansas has invested more than $12 million in new upgrades and has rebuilt more than a mile of existing distribution lines allowing the company to support increased load demands and provide consistent power delivery, even during high-demand periods.

For more on long-term plans:Ěýentergy.com/brightfutureark

´ˇłŮĚýEntergy Mississippi, construction is underway at theĚýDelta Blues Advanced Power StationĚýin Greenville. By replacing end-of-life gas generation with more clean and efficient generation, the company is ensuring customers continue to have modern, reliable energy well into the future.

Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area.

The $1.2 billion investment represents a significant economic impact for the Mississippi Delta, including more than 300 construction jobs in the area over the next several years and additional tax revenue for Washington County. Entergy will employ about 21 full-time personnel to operate the plant when it comes online. When fully operational, the plant will provide the state a newer, cleaner and more attractive power source to highlight when recruiting new industry and jobs to Mississippi.

For more on long-term plans:Ěýentergy.com/brightfuturems

°Őłó±đĚýEntergy NuclearĚýRiver Bend Station in St. Francisville, La., has recentlyĚý, transitioning to a nationally approved system that continues to alert local broadcast and news outlets about severe weather, while putting information directly in the hands of residents.

Similar to how people now get storm warnings through their electronic and mobile devices, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System is now set to give local residents more information in a timelier manner should an emergency occur.

IPAWS works by sending local emergency messages to the public to customer’s mobile phones using wireless emergency alerts, to radio and television via the Emergency Alert System and also on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s, or NOAA, weather radio. The Federal Emergency Management Agency developed IPAWS over a decade ago is currently being used by major nuclear plants across the nation.

These investments, and many more like them, are part of an aggressive plan to invest $37 billion in the grid through 2028. For details,Ěýcheck out Entergy’s most recent performance report.

I am an Engineering Instructor/Program Lead at Arkansas Nuclear One. I manage the accredited engineering training program at ANO. This involves not only overseeing the curriculum and delivery of the training at ANO, but also collaborating closely with engineering leadership across our fleet to identify and address any training needs at the fleet level.

Tell me about how your job impacts plant reliability? 

The engineering training program at ANO is designed to ensure our engineers are fully equipped with the essential knowledge and skills needed to effectively support the plant’s operations. Training is provided for initial orientation to introduce engineers to the intricate details and systems of the plant, recurring refresher training to keep skills and knowledge up-to-date, targeted trainings to address any performance gaps or areas requiring improvement and additional specialized trainings as needed. These trainings reinforce the importance of advocacy and technical conscience to improve plant reliability and protect the health and safety of the public.

Tell me about the importance your department has in keeping the plant online? â¶ÄŻ

The training department is critical to keeping the plant online. We train operations, technicians, engineers and craft to safely run ANO.

Why do you love ANO?

I love the strong sense of community we have here, it’s easy to make friendships with those we work with. I also love the positive influence ANO has on the local River Valley area – ANO truly helps make this a great place to live.

What is a fun fact about you?

My husband is a pilot, and I love to go fly in our plane with him! I’ve started flight training – with him as my instructor.

What is your why?

My family – I want ANO to continue producing clean carbon-free energy to support the needs of our lifestyles and local communities. I am proud to contribute to that.

These upgrades represent a proactive investment in the community’s future, helping farmers, residents and local businesses thrive with expanded electrical stability. In total, Entergy Arkansas has invested more than $12 million in new upgrades and has rebuilt more than a mile of existing distribution lines allowing the company to support increased load demands and provide consistent power delivery, even during high-demand periods.

The upgrades include a new larger 40 megavolt-amperes (MVA) transformer to help create a stronger network. Installing a larger transformer allows for a greater capacity to deliver electrical power, meaning it can supply more electricity to a building or area without experiencing voltage drops or overloading the existing system. Additional feeders were also added to help with switching power to other circuits in case an outage does occur.

“Supporting our local agricultural community is a priority for us,” said Whitney Rial, customer service manager for Entergy Arkansas. “By strengthening our system, we’re making sure residents have dependable electricity, particularly during the irrigation season. Our upgrades will minimize power disruptions, which can be costly to our customers and have a significant impact on crop productivity.”

With the growing need to maintain reliability as energy demand increases, Entergy Arkansas is making key strategic investments across the state. Creating a stronger power grid is crucial for the growing electrical demands in the Harrisburg area, where agriculture serves as one of the major focuses of the local economy. Local farmers have expressed relief and appreciation for the commitment Entergy Arkansas has made in addressing these infrastructure needs, recognizing the importance of uninterrupted electricity in maintaining successful and sustainable agricultural practices.

“We are grateful to the city of Harrisburg, other utilities in the area, residents, businesses and farmers for their patience as we have spent the year working together to build a stronger network and stronger community,” said Rial.

Residents in the area should begin seeing the benefits immediately as a result of these new upgrades providing reliable, efficient and innovative energy solutions. The project is expected to have long-term benefits for the Harrisburg community, developing stability for years to come.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit theĚýĚýand connect withĚý@EntergyArkĚýon social media.

Entergy Arkansas has completed phase one of a comprehensive reliability and resiliency project in Little Rock. The recently completed work includes upgrades to both theĚýtransmissionĚýand distribution infrastructure for the electrical lines that serve the downtown Little Rock area, which is home to more than 40,000 Entergy Arkansas customers. These upgrades will provide reliable energy supply that can be restored quicker in the case of an outage.

Legacy transmission structures near 8^thĚýstreet and Woodrow have been replaced with steel structures with newer and stronger conductors installed. The adjacent distribution circuit has been upgraded and rerouted away from the transmission structures, which will not only improve reliability in the area, but will also enhance power restoration capabilities and improve safety and work practices for Entergy Arkansas line workers.

“This project represents an investment of both time and resources to improve reliability for customers in this area,” said Adam Effrein, vice president of power delivery for Entergy Arkansas. “These improvements will result in fewer overall outages and faster restoration times when an outage is inevitable.”

The recent work is part of an ongoing project to enhance the resiliency and reliability of the electrical systems in Little Rock. Future phases will extend the transmission upgrades from downtown all the way to West Little Rock. Infrastructure enhancements will include overhead transmission lines and substation equipment, improving efficiency and reliability for customers all across the city.

Approximately eight miles of high- and low-voltage power lines in total will be upgraded over the next few years. Additionally, Entergy Arkansas will upgrade line terminals, equipment and enhanced protection schemes at all substations in Little Rock’s central business district.

Entergy Arkansas is continually and steadily making significant investments in upgrading and strengthening our power generation, transmission, and distribution systems, including enhancements to how our facilities are designed, built, and maintained. With respect to our transmission and distribution systems in particular, we’ve significantly increased the wind standard to which new equipment is built.

“We’re always adapting our material and construction standards, which includes using stronger poles, fiberglass crossarms and improved configuration or placement of equipment,” said Effrein. “We’re not only replacing older or damaged assets with new ones, but we are also replacing them with equipment that is stronger and more resilient.”

Planned resiliency efforts include additional projects like this one in downtown Little Rock, more frequent inspection and maintenance, enhanced vegetation management, hardening and upgrading equipment, and other efforts that will help improve the resilience of our system while maintaining low-cost, reliable energy.

To learn more about Entergy Arkansas’ plans for reliability and resiliency throughout the state, visit our websiteĚýhere.

This week we celebrate achievements across the nuclear energy industry and at Entergy, as we recognize the vital role nuclear professionals play in powering our communities with clean, carbon-free electricity. This is only achieved because of their relentless focus on operating our plants safely, securely and reliably.ĚýĚý

Our customers count on us to keep the lights on, and we do so with clean, reliable energy, 24/7, 365. Our Entergy fleet of five nuclear reactors at four sites in Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana prevents nearly 23 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in the environment each year. That is about the same as taking nearly five million passenger vehicles off the road.Ěý

This is an exciting time to be working in nuclear. As the Nuclear şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Institute reported last year about the , from 2016 to 2020, support held steady at 45% and then jumped to nearly 60% this year. People are seeing the value of nuclear as a clean, reliable energy source, as well as a powerful economic force—driving opportunities in business, employment and volunteerism.ĚýĚýĚý

In celebration of Nuclear Science Week, Entergy’s fleetwide chapters of Women in Nuclear and North American Young Generation in Nuclear will be expanding outreach, educating our customers and other stakeholders about the benefits of nuclear energy.

Engage with Entergy Nuclear on , and Entergy on or to learn more about our industry, our commitment to our customers and communities, and rewarding in this exciting and growing field.

Entergy Arkansas submitted grant applications for the two projects through the DOE’s Grid Deployment Office grant program. The program pays for 30% of the costs of capital improvement projects with the goals of maintaining and enhancing existing hydroelectric facilities. The projects will help ensure Entergy Arkansas can continue generating clean electricity at the dams for years to come.

“Hydroelectricity is the largest supplier of renewable energy in power generation, and many of the assets across the industry are aging facilities,” said Braxton Bennett, senior plant manager for Entergy Arkansas. “Investing in the Remmel and Carpenter dams provides multiple benefits for Entergy and our customers. As safety is a top priority, these capital investments allow us to increase the reliability of our equipment used for generation and lake level control to ensure the public remains safe from the threats of flood conditions and allows for the continuous recreational use of Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine. They also allow for operations personnel to respond to grid conditions in a more agile manner with updated technology.”

The Carpenter-Remmel Grid Resiliency Project was awarded $978,138 to upgrade the control valves in both the Carpenter and Remmel facilities, upgrade and replace the Carpenter Dam’s programmable logic controller human machine interface system with an advanced control technology, and to collocate the Carpenter and Remmel facilities control system to an offsite location. Benefits of the project include the ability to start/stop the turbine units remotely, with little to no ramp up time, which will increase Carpenter-Remmel’s available power generation.

The Remmel Dam Safety Project was also awarded $1,877,216 to proactively improve safety at the Remmel Dam facility, including some concrete repair on the dam gate decks and installing a new remotely operated gate hoist. Being able to remotely operate the gate improves the operator’s ability to safely maintain water levels, adjust to changing river flows, and intervene during a major storm event — all of which help ensure the safe operation of the dam even in extreme weather conditions. This year marks the 100^th anniversary of Remmel Dam providing safe, reliable power to customers.

Funding for the projects comes from the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of the first round of grants awarded to nearly three hundred hydroelectric improvement projects. Work on both projects is expected to begin later this year and expected to be complete within three years. Ěý

These grants from the DOE are part of Entergy’s larger strategy to pursue state federal and state funding opportunity available to Entergy and our partners to support maintaining and improving the electrical infrastructure in our service areas.

“Receiving funding for large infrastructure projects helps reduce costs for customers,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “This also allows Entergy to redeploy our capital dollars toward more projects across Entergy Arkansas so we can keep our electrical grid resilient and safe while providing additional value to our customers.”

Entergy Arkansas also has a grant application under consideration with DOE for funding for resilience and hardening projects through their competitive — in 2023, another Entergy operating company, Entergy New Orleans, was awarded $55 million in matching federal funds through the GRIP grant program. Entergy Arkansas is also awaiting the results of three applications to the program, which was funded through the BIL’s 40101(d) state . Both programs are expected to announce awardees this fall.

Our efforts to ensure that our communities receive a fair share of federal funding don’t stop with the programs for which Entergy is eligible as the direct recipient — we also work with external stakeholders to help them access funding opportunities beyond Entergy’s scope, such as the DOE’s for state governments andĚýĚýprogram for HBCUs.

One of the projects we are working on is in an area east of Batesville, where we are improving reliability by upgrading miles of power lines, replacing wire and updating equipment to the newest standards.

“This is a large, three-part project that will yield high benefits for our customers in the northeast region,” said Entergy Arkansas Customer Service Manager Todd Welter. “We will be working through the rest of the year on these projects that will provide premier service to the area.”

Several large chicken farms, which rely on electricity to provide optimal conditions for poultry production, will benefit from the projects, as well as 2,000 residential and commercial customers.

Over the next few months, vegetation crews will be clearing the lines to make way for the line workers to reconductor about five miles of power lines. The first phase of the project, which was completed at the end of July, involved reconductoring lines along School Road. A second phase, which is currently underway, involves replacing 1½ miles of copper wire with new lines along Blueberry Road. Finally, crews will be replacing wires on a three-mile stretch along White Drive. Ěý

Occasionally it may be necessary for customers to be without power while the lines are replaced. Whenever possible, we will work to ensure customers are notified in advance.

We thank customers for their patience as we work to upgrade your service.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – If it weren’t for construction of Remmel and Carpenter dams a century ago, some of the state’s greatest recreation areas may not exist. As Remmel Dam marks its 100^th anniversary, community and company leaders gathered at Lake Catherine to celebrate the decades of reliable, clean energy the dam provides.

Constructed and first brought online by Arkansas Power and Light Company in 1924, Remmel Dam is located on the Ouachita River near Jones Mills in Hot Spring County. Together with Carpenter Dam in Hot Springs, they provide hydroelectric power for the natural state and form lakes Catherine and Hamilton

”Remmel Dam is an essential part of Entergy Arkansas’ diverse fuel mix portfolio,” said William Cunningham, director of resource planning for Entergy Arkansas. “Harnessing the hydroelectric power enhances our clean energy offerings and positions us well for future power generation needs.”

Senior leadership from Entergy Arkansas, Entergy Power Generation, family members of AP&L founder Harvey Couch and current employees working at Remmel Dam gathered with state and local officials and members of the community to celebrate the dam’s centennial anniversary this morning at the dam site in Malvern. Festivities included a dedication recognizing Remmel Dam’s place in Arkansas and Entergy history, guided tours of the dam site and a pop-up museum of artifacts, information and photos.

Tours of Remmel Dam will be given to Entergy Arkansas employees and retirees throughout this week, and area schools have scheduled tours the last week in April. The dam will be open to the public for guided tours June 10-13. Visitors should wear closed toed shoes if they are interested in visiting the dam up close.

Couch founded AP&L in 1913. Three years later, he was approached by Flave Carpenter about building dams on the Ouachita River to harness hydroelectric power.

Remmel Dam was one of the first major sources of power generation for AP&L. It was the third generation site built by Harvey Couch and the only one still operating today, with many original parts, in service for Entergy. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The lake and surrounding area created by Remmel Dam has been a great source of tourism and economic development for the state.

Remmel Dam is named after Colonel Harmon L. Remmel, a friend of Harvey Couch who helped facilitate meetings in Washington D.C. for Couch to obtain licensing and permission to build the dam. Construction on the dam began in May 1923 and was completed in December 1924 at a total cost of $2,142,000.

“The benefits that Remmel Dam has brought to the Malvern and Hot Springs area are numerous,” said Kimberly Bogart, lakes manager for Carpenter and Remmel Dams. “The dams were originally intended to help bring reliable low-cost electrical power to the state, but now also serve multiple purposes including fisheries and especially recreation/tourism. Hot Springs is the number one tourist destination in the state of Arkansas and one of the major draws is the area lakes, which all started with Remmel Dam and Lake Catherine.

Today, power from Remmel Dam services not only Entergy Arkansas, but is also interconnected to the Entergy power grid. Entergy Arkansas plans to continue maximizing the dam’s ability to provide safe and reliable hydroelectric power to the state of Arkansas for the next century.

“With one hundred years in service, the dam boasts a legacy of rich history and community partnership,” said Bogart. We are looking forward to building on this legacy and continuing to be a valued resource for Entergy Arkansas and the state for years to come.”

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř, a Fortune 500 electric company. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. For the latest news from Entergy Arkansas, visit the and connect with @EntergyArk on social media.

March 31, 2023, is a date that will forever be marked in Arkansas severe weather history. On this date, the Little Rock, Jacksonville and Wynne areas were ravaged by deadly tornadoes that left a path of destruction in its wake and required complete rebuilding of people’s lives and the community.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of this tragic event, it’s a time to reflect on the challenges faced but also on stories of resilience and rebuilding. Among these stories is Entergy Arkansas’ commitment to not just restore power but to build back better, ensuring greater resilience for the community today and in the future.

The Impact:

The EF3 tornado that ripped through our community was a force of nature that spared little in its

path. With winds reaching speeds of up to 165 mph, it tore through neighborhoods, schools, worship centers and other familiar places toppling power lines and leaving thousands without electricity as parts of the electric grid were destroyed. More than 1,500 utility poles, 435 transformers and nearly 2,000 spans of wire were damaged or destroyed due to the tornado.

The destruction was swift and widespread as it uprooted trees, destroyed homes and shattered lives, leaving many residents homeless and businesses in ruins. The aftermath was a scene of chaos and despair, as families sifted through debris searching for belongings and emergency responders worked tirelessly to provide aid and support.

Immediate Response:

In the face of such devastation, our community banded together with unwavering determination to rebuild and recover. In the days following the tornado, volunteers from near and far descended upon these areas, offering their assistance and support.

Local government agencies, nonprofits and community organizations worked tirelessly to provide resources to those affected by the tornado. From emergency housing and financial aid to counseling services and debris removal, the outpouring of support was truly remarkable.

Entergy Arkansas mobilized its resources swiftly and decisively to help restore power to the community. Despite facing immense challenges, including blocked roads and hazardous conditions, crews worked around the clock to assess damage and restore power to affected areas.

Within 48 hours of the storm, Entergy Arkansas had restored service to 90% of its customers that could take service, and every school, daycare or church supplying services to the needy was able to open their doors. Everyone from customer service to power delivery teams, logistics and communications, supply chain and telecom and many others put customers and communities first.

Together, our focus was to bring a sense of normalcy back to our community amid chaos and uncertainty.Ěý

Building Back Better:

Entergy Arkansas didn’t stop at merely restoring power. The company has always recognized the need to prepare for future disasters and continued its mission to build back better and strengthen our community’s resilience. This involved implementing innovative technologies, enhancing infrastructure and adopting best practices to mitigate the impact of future storms.

Crews rebuilt the electric system with upgraded wire, thicker and stronger wooden poles, and concrete poles in some areas, to harden system infrastructure and to make it more resilient. They also implemented the design change to vertically constructed framing.

Not only is vertical construction less expensive to build than horizontal framing, but it also involves less parts, creating less points of failure. It is easier for crews to construct and maintain vertical framing on the roadside of the structure and requires less room on the customers’ property for right-of-way. And when a storm hits, vertical framing is more resilient against mechanical damage as vegetation sheds limbs and debris, which allows for faster restoration time.

Several storms have impacted the same area since the tornado and the benefit of these upgrades are evident. This year, these areas have seen minimal outages from the ice storms in January and high winds in March. The damage sustained to the new section of line was easier to repair and required less work.

Specific benefits from the vertical framing were evident as crews were able to replace smaller components instead of entire poles. These minimal interruptions for customers help them have one less worry at a time when weather threatens.

In addition to technical efforts, Entergy Arkansas actively engaged with the community to promote awareness and preparedness for future emergencies. The company has conducted outreach programs to educate residents and municipalities on safety measures and emergency response protocols. By fostering collaboration and communication, the company has empowered individuals and neighborhoods to better withstand and recover from disasters.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on the one-year anniversary of the devastating tornado, stories of hope and rebuilding emerges, and Entergy Arkansas reaffirms our commitment to supporting our communities and to always build back better.

Success in our business is when customers never have to think about their power. Being taken for granted is the highest compliment we can possibly get. It takes the coordination of thousands of people, in multiple locations, working in unison around the clock – all to help minimize the effects for the communities we proudly serve.

Our weather today is more extreme than ever and sometimes, even our best planning and execution cannot compete with the strength and unpredictability of Mother Nature. But more times than not, Entergy Arkansas employees have weathered some of the most difficult conditions to keep the lights on for customers when they need it most. The improvements Entergy Arkansas has made to the electric grid in these areas and across the state will help achieve this goal.

As we look to the future, let us continue to learn from this experience and strive for greater preparedness, collaboration and resilience. Together, we can overcome any challenge and emerge stronger than before.

In some cultures, an eclipse has been explained as a mythic being swallowing the sun. In others, the phenomenon has been determined a cosmic response to mankind’s bad behavior. And in some folklore, an eclipse was attributed to an eternal romance between the sun and moon, whose occasional rendezvous stilled the heavens.

Whether an omen of impending doom or a celestial love affair, mortals have always observed the spectacle with rapt attention. And on April 8, as the path of totality for the 2024 eclipse crosses the United States, we will do so again.

Though science has now provided empirical answers to why and how an eclipse occurs, there’s still much wonder to be had when safely observing one. And Entergy employees will be on the job to ensure that our customers can fully enjoy that wonder – without worry about potential impacts to their electric service.

Made in the shade

“At Entergy Arkansas, we’re well-positioned with a diverse fleet of power generation sources,” noted John Schwegler, manager of operations planning in Arkansas. “We don’t anticipate any impact from our generation fleet that would affect customers’ electric service during this year’s event.”

Entergy’s Arkansas service area is directly in the path of eclipse totality. Solar energy accounts for less than 2% of power capacity for our Arkansas customers. While plant operators can’t know the exact amount of solar generation that will be impacted during the 3-minute total eclipse, other generation sources like natural gas, hydropower and nuclear will offset any dip in solar generation.

“It’s actually fairly normal for a solar plant’s output to reduce to almost zero for a few minutes at a time,” said Craig Richardson, solar asset manager. “This occurs regularly when heavy cloud cover passes overhead, for example.”

“At Entergy Arkansas, we’re well-positioned with a diverse fleet of power generation sources. We don’t anticipate any impact from our generation fleet that would affect customers’ electric service during this year’s event.”

–ĚýJohn Schwegler, manager of operations planning in Arkansas

In those cases, as during April’s eclipse, Entergy’s power generation employees rely on the company’s diverse fuel supply mix to ensure customers don’t experience any service interruptions.

For example, our nuclear generation, including the two units at in Russellville, generate enough clean power to meet approximately 65% of Entergy Arkansas’ total demand. And, in addition to being unaffected by a solar eclipse, generating nuclear energy avoids the emission of greenhouse gases.

“Clean, carbon-free nuclear energy naturally complements renewable energy,” said Doug Pehrson, Entergy site vice president at Arkansas Nuclear One. “Nuclear energy is not weather-dependent. Nuclear power can be produced 24/7, 365 days a year.”

Taking a shine to reliability

That’s not all, though. Our Searcy Solar şÚÁĎłÔąĎÍř Center, which has a capacity of 100 MW, also boasts a 3-hour, 10 MW battery backup. This feature helps the plant combat the intermittency that can impact renewable power generation. The batteries store excess energy when the sun is shining. Then, during evening hours or under cloud cover, our customers can use the energy stored in those batteries.

“Our diverse generation mix and interconnected grid mean we don’t rely too heavily on any single source of generation to ensure the comfort and convenience of our customers,” added Schwegler. “A variety of options keeps our grid flexible and better able to respond to changing conditions.”

And that means Entergy Arkansas customers can dispense with the worry during this April’s eclipse – and focus solely on the wonder. Have a happy #EclipseDay!

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