Solar ϳԹ – Entergy We power life. Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:01:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 /wp-content/uploads/2024/06/cropped-FavIcon-32x32.png Solar ϳԹ – Entergy 32 32 Entergy Louisiana and DESRI announce start of commercial operations at Sunlight Road Solar /news/entergy-louisiana-desri-announce-start-commercial-operations-at-sunlight-road-solar Wed, 27 Nov 2024 02:44:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-louisiana-desri-announce-start-commercial-operations-at-sunlight-road-solar/ Franklinton facility is the utility’s fourth and will provide enough electricity to power approximately 11,500 homes

FRANKLINTON, La. – Entergy Louisiana and D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) today announced the start of commercial operations at Sunlight Road Solar, located in Washington Parish. The 50-megawatt solar facility in Franklinton, developed and built by DESRI, will supply power to Entergy Louisiana’s grid through a 20-year power-purchase agreement.

With more than 100,000 photovoltaic panels, Sunlight Road Solar will generate enough electricity to power approximately 11,500 homes, helping meet Louisiana’s growing demand for renewable energy. It will also contribute to economic development across the state as businesses and industries increasingly rely on utilities like Entergy to help them achieve their sustainability goals.

“With the addition of Sunlight Road Solar, we’re taking another step toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future for our state,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “This milestone represents more than just adding solar power to our portfolio; it’s about providing affordable, reliable and clean energy to our customers. We’re excited about what this means for the future of power in Louisiana as we continue to meet the growing demand for renewables and work toward a net-zero future.”

Entergy Louisiana customers are expected to save approximately $22 million over the term of the Sunlight Road Solar power purchase agreement. The facility utilizes single-axis tracking technology, allowing the solar panels to follow the sun throughout the day to maximize energy production.

”DESRI is thrilled to have developed and constructed another renewable energy project in partnership with Entergy to support its customers”, said Hy Martin, DESRI chief development officer. “We are grateful to Sunlight Road Solar’s many stakeholders including Washington Parish, Entergy, our landowners, project lenders, Nevados, and Primoris Renewable ϳԹ, and look forward to continuing investments in clean, cost-competitive energy that create opportunities across Louisiana and the broader Gulf Region.”

Sunlight Road Solar is the fourth solar resource Entergy Louisiana has added to its grid.

The company plans to bring the nearly 50-megawatt Sterlington Solar facility online sometime in 2026. The solar facility will be owned and operated by Entergy Louisiana and located next to the Sterlington Power Station, one of the company’s oldest power plants in north Louisiana.

These milestones align with Entergy’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. To learn more about how the company is incorporating renewable energy into its power generation portfolio to benefit customers, communities, and the environment, visit entergy.com/renewable-energy.

About D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and its affiliates develop, acquire, own, and operate long-term contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI’s portfolio of contracted, operating, and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes 70 solar and wind projects representing more than nine gigawatts of aggregate capacity. DESRI is a member of the D. E. Shaw group, a global investment and technology development firm with more than $60 billion in investment and committed capital as of September 1, 2024, and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia.

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), a Fortune 500 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.

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Entergy New Orleans pioneers a greener future /news/entergy-new-orleans-pioneers-greener-future Fri, 18 Oct 2024 07:06:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-new-orleans-pioneers-greener-future/ NEW ORLEANS – For decades, Entergy has been at the forefront of addressing climate issues and has positioned itself as one of the cleanest large-scale generation fleets in the United States. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in our diverse power generation portfolio and in our ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

Our power generation portfolio

At Entergy, more than half of the energy we supply comes from efficient natural gas-powered generation and clean nuclear energy. This strategic mix enables us to provide reliable electricity while minimizing environmental impact. Our generation fleet includes a range of sources such as natural gas, nuclear, coal, oil, hydroelectric, in addition to renewable energy resources.

With approximately 24,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, Entergy owns and operates one of the cleanest large-scale generation fleets in the country. We have a fleet of 28 active natural gas, oil, hydroelectric, and coal generating facilities with a combined capacity of nearly 19,000 megawatts.

Our nuclear fleet produces approximately 5,000 megawatts of nuclear capacity. This carbon-free power source is critical in meeting our climate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Furthermore, we have approximately 8,600 megawatts of renewable energy projects that are either operational or in approval status awaiting construction.

With a focus on clean energy, Entergy has achieved an impressive milestone with our carbon dioxide emissions 40% below the national average. This accomplishment highlights our dedication to not only meeting but exceeding environmental industry standards.

Local clean energy initiatives

Reflecting our commitment to a sustainable energy future, Entergy New Orleans current portfolio includes approximately 100 MW of renewable energy. Our New Orleans Solar Station, which provides 20 MW of large-scale local renewable generation, exemplifies our efforts to harness solar power and to reducing our carbon footprint. These initiatives are part of a broader strategy that ensures our power generation portfolio continues to meet the growing demand for clean energy.

We believe that our sustainability initiatives should not come at the expense of affordability. This commitment ensures that as we invest in cleaner technologies, we also keep energy costs manageable for our customers. Our dedication to providing affordable services is evident in our competitive electric rates, which are 10% below the national average.

“As a part of Entergy’s power generation team, we understand our responsibility in confronting environmental issues,” said Keith Wood, director of resource planning and market operations at Entergy New Orleans. “Our dedication to sustainability drives us to explore cleaner energy sources and to utilize innovative technology that reduces our carbon output and costs for our customers.”

Entergy New Orleans takes pride in our proactive approach to community engagement and environmental stewardship. Since the establishment of the New Orleans City Council’s clean energy targets, we have consistently met the benchmarks each year. This demonstrates our dedication to supporting local initiatives and underpins our role as a leader in the clean energy landscape.

“At Entergy New Orleans, we understand the critical role we play in addressing the challenge of climate change,” said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “Our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint is at the core of everything we do. By investing in clean energy alternatives, we are not only meeting the energy needs of today, but also ensuring a cleaner, healthier future.”

As we look to the future, we remain committed to leading the charge in clean energy generation. Our focus on addressing climate issues has placed us among the cleanest generation fleets in the country. Through our investments in renewable resources and innovative technologies, we will continue to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to the communities we serve.

Learn more about Entergy’s power generation fleet¬†here.

About Entergy New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 208,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of ϳԹ, 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 New Orleans, visit the and connect with @EntergyNOLA on social media.

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ϳԹ Smart offers $5M in energy-saving upgrades to local businesses /news/energy-smart-offers-5m-in-energy-saving-upgrades-local-businesses Thu, 10 Oct 2024 05:14:00 +0000 /blog-post/energy-smart-offers-5m-in-energy-saving-upgrades-local-businesses/ ϳԹ Smart, Entergy New Orleans’ energy efficiency program, helps businesses save money while meeting energy efficiency goals. In honor of National ϳԹ Awareness Month, ϳԹ Smart announces that the ϳԹ Smart Fund has $5 million dollars remaining in 2024 for businesses in Orleans Parish. The $9 million ϳԹ Smart Fund will cover up to 100% of qualifying project costs for businesses. To date, local businesses have claimed nearly $4 million in funds.¬†

The ϳԹ Smart program is designed to help customers maximize the available cash incentives to cover energy-saving project costs such as LED lights, HVAC and lighting controls, refrigeration, and more. ϳԹ Smart energy advisors help make the process simple and easy for business owners.¬†

“Our goal is to help businesses save on energy costs and invest in the future of New Orleans by creating a more sustainable community,” said Ross Thevenot, Entergy New Orleans energy efficiency project manager. “We encourage all businesses to take advantage of the financial incentives and the opportunity to contribute to a more sustainable city by requesting a consultation with one of our energy advisors.”

The program also provides additional support for Entergy New Orleans small business customers with the installation of energy-saving products and recommendations for additional upgrades. Business owners interested in claiming their share of the remaining funds should request a consultation by visiting .

To learn more about other energy-saving opportunities and special offers, visit energysmartnola.info, email info@energysmartnola.com or call 504-229-6868.

About ϳԹ Smart

ϳԹ Smart is the comprehensive energy efficiency program developed by the New Orleans City Council and administered by Entergy New Orleans. The program provides financial incentives for making energy efficiency upgrades that decrease unnecessary usage and help businesses save money.

The program launched in 2010 and is open to all Entergy New Orleans residential and business customers. Since the program began, ϳԹ Smart has paid more than $61 million in incentives to more than 135,000 participants, saving customers over 500 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. For more information about ϳԹ Smart, visit or call 504-229-6868.

About Entergy New Orleans

Entergy New Orleans, LLC provides electricity to approximately 208,000 customers and natural gas to approximately 109,000 customers in Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

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Entergy Arkansas and Invenergy announce start of commercial operations at Walnut Bend Solar /news/entergy-arkansas-invenergy-announce-start-commercial-operations-at-walnut-bend-solar Fri, 20 Sep 2024 01:30:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-arkansas-invenergy-announce-start-commercial-operations-at-walnut-bend-solar/ Entergy’s fourth solar facility and Invenergy’s first developed project in Arkansas generates enough electricity to power 61,000 Arkansas homes

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Adding to its growing fleet of utility-scale solar generating facilities, Entergy Arkansas has announced the start of commercial operations at Walnut Bend Solar ϳԹ Center. The 100-megawatt solar energy center is located in Lee County to the east of Brinkley, Arkansas. Entergy Arkansas acquired Walnut Bend from Invenergy, a leading privately held developer, owner, and operator of sustainable energy solutions. Invenergy led the development, engineering, and construction of the facility.

“Walnut Bend will be a valuable addition to our generation fleet, which, in turn, complements our diverse mix of generation sources that have been powering life in Arkansas for more than 100 years,” said Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux. “Our investments in these generation resources are a key part of keeping the rates our customers pay below the regional and national averages and enables us to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable service to our customers throughout the state.”

“Walnut Bend is another example of Invenergy’s successful track record of building clean energy solutions, and we are proud to support Entergy’s growing solar power portfolio,” said Mick Baird, Chief Development Officer at Invenergy. “We are grateful to the Lee County community for their partnership, and we look forward to continuing to develop projects in Arkansas to meet the state’s energy needs and invest in local communities.”

The Walnut Bend facility will generate an estimated $700,000 in annual property taxes for Lee County. It utilizes innovative technologies, including bifacial solar panels and racking equipment that tracks the sun. Bifacial panels capture sunlight on both sides of the panel, taking advantage of light reflecting off the ground, while the racking systems adjusts their tilt so that they follow the sun throughout the day, maximizing their energy production.

“I am pleased to welcome Walnut Bend Solar to my district,” said Arkansas Senator Ron Caldwell, District 10. “This facility represents a significant investment in Lee County that will provide economic benefits locally and throughout Arkansas.”

Walnut Bend is the fourth solar resource Entergy Arkansas has placed into service – all generating renewable, emission-free solar power for all Entergy Arkansas’ customers. The others are the 81-megawatt Stuttgart Solar, the 100-megawatt Chico Solar at Lake Village and the 100-megawatt Searcy Solar. The four facilities combined will generate 381 megawatts of power for Entergy Arkansas customers. Total investment is more than $300 million, with net customer benefits of more than $170 million over the life of the facilities.

Later this year, Entergy Arkansas will bring 430 additional MW of solar power facilities online: West Memphis (180MW) and Driver (250 MW), which it will own and operate. Two additional solar facilities are planned to come online in 2025: Flat Fork (200 MW) and Forgeview (200 MW), which will provide energy and capacity to Entergy Arkansas via long-term power purchase agreements.

“Walnut Bend Solar is a great addition to my district,” said Mark McElroy, Arkansas District 62 Representative. “The facility will generate economic benefits for Lee County and the surrounding communities.¬† This investment will strengthen our communities and help support economic development that will be good for Arkansas.”

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas, LLC provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of ϳԹ, 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.

About Invenergy

Invenergy is accelerating cleaner, more reliable, affordable energy. Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, build, own, and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation, transmission and storage facilities in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Headquartered in Chicago, Invenergy has regional development offices in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Spain, Japan, Poland, and Scotland. 

Invenergy and its affiliated companies have successfully developed more than 31,000 megawatts of projects that are in operation, construction or contracted, including wind, solar, transmission infrastructure and natural gas power generation and advanced energy storage projects. Learn about Invenergy at

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Entergy and NextEra ϳԹ Resources agree to develop up to 4.5 GW of solar, energy storage projects /news/entergy-nextera-energy-resources-agree-develop-up-4-5-gw-solar-energy-storage-projects Fri, 07 Jun 2024 23:30:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-nextera-energy-resources-agree-develop-up-4-5-gw-solar-energy-storage-projects/ NEW ORLEANS and JUNO BEACH, Fla. – Entergy and NextEra ϳԹ Resources LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra ϳԹ Inc. (NYSE: NEE), today announced a joint development agreement that will accelerate the development of up to 4.5 gigawatts of new solar generation and energy storage projects. The agreement represents significant progress toward Entergy’s growing portfolio of renewable generation.

“We’re excited about this joint development agreement, which will enable Entergy to provide our customers with low-cost, renewable energy as demand grows across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas,” said Rod West, group president of utility operations for Entergy.

“We believe the power sector is at an inflection point, and growing electricity demand will be met by low-cost, renewable generation and storage,” said Rebecca Kujawa, president and chief executive officer of NextEra ϳԹ Resources. “We’re pleased to reach this agreement because it further strengthens our long-standing collaboration and adds up to 4.5 GW on top of the more than 1.7 GW of renewable energy projects already underway with Entergy.”

The five-year joint development agreement is expected to facilitate the development and construction of new solar generation and energy storage projects.

About Entergy

Entergy (NYSE: ETR) is a Fortune 500 company that 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. Learn more at entergy.com and connect with @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

About NextEra ϳԹ Resources

NextEra ϳԹ Resources LLC (together with its affiliated entities, “NextEra ϳԹ Resources”) is a clean energy leader and is one of the largest wholesale generators of electric power in the U.S., with approximately 30,600 megawatts of total net generating capacity, primarily in 41 states and Canada as of year-end 2023. NextEra ϳԹ Resources is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun, and a world leader in battery storage. The business operates clean, emissions-free nuclear power generation facilities in New Hampshire and Wisconsin as part of the NextEra ϳԹ nuclear fleet. NextEra ϳԹ Resources offers a wide range of clean energy solutions to help businesses and customers across the country meet their emissions reduction goals. NextEra ϳԹ Resources LLC is a subsidiary of Juno Beach, Florida-based NextEra ϳԹ Inc. (NYSE: NEE). For more information, visit: .

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Entergy Louisiana’s historic expansion of renewable power approved /news/entergy-louisianas-historic-expansion-renewable-power-approved Thu, 23 May 2024 03:24:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-louisianas-historic-expansion-renewable-power-approved/ New solar projects will help drive economic development in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, La. – Entergy Louisiana’s proposal to add up to three gigawatts of economic solar power to its generation portfolio has been approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, marking the largest renewable power expansion in state history.

“This approval underscores our commitment to meeting operational and sustainability needs, driving economic development, and protecting the environment,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO. “It’s a significant win for the future of our state. I want to thank everyone who helped see this proposal come to fruition, including our local officials and regulators.”

The approval authorizes a streamlined procurement and approval process that will enable the construction of several solar resources within Louisiana, benefiting local communities through job creation and additional tax revenues. Importantly, the addition of clean energy allows the state to attract new industries and jobs that seek clean energy as part of their expansion plans. This initiative aligns with ϳԹ’s plans for growing its renewable energy resources by 2031 and its commitment to .

This approval signifies a major milestone in Entergy Louisiana’s continuing effort to modernize its power generation portfolio, providing cleaner, more efficient, and diverse energy solutions to meet the needs of its customers.

There are both economic and environmental considerations for adopting renewable power. Solar energy, for example, offers numerous benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality and job creation within the local community.

Today, nearly 25% of the Entergy Louisiana’s generation portfolio comes from carbon-free resources, including nuclear and renewable technologies. Entergy Louisiana’s long-term vision includes further investments in clean energy infrastructure, especially utility-scale solar because it is becoming more economic. The company’s vision also includes further investments in energy efficiency programs and partnerships with local stakeholders to promote sustainability and resilience.

Currently, Entergy Louisiana has approximately 230 megawatts of renewable resources, including the facility, which was the first utility-scale solar project approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission and began delivering power to the grid in October 2020. In January of this year, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved a solar filing consisting of approximately , bringing the operating company’s total solar portfolio to over 3,800 MW in various stages of development and approval.

In addition, the projects will enhance the state’s energy infrastructure, ensuring a reliable power supply to support the burgeoning needs of industry and businesses who do or will call Louisiana home.

To learn more about our renewable energy generation growth, visit entergy.com/renewable-energy.

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), a Fortune 500 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.

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Entergy Texas’ first solar resource helps customers meet sustainability goals /news/entergy-texas-first-solar-resource-helps-customers-meet-sustainability-goals Thu, 18 Apr 2024 06:17:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-texas-first-solar-resource-helps-customers-meet-sustainability-goals/ The Umbriel Solar facility provides enough clean energy to power more than 30,000 homes

POLK COUNTY, Texas – Texas is the in the nation, and with rapid growth comes an increased demand for electricity. As the demand for power grows in Southeast Texas, many homeowners and businesses are requesting cleaner energy options to help support their climate and environmental goals.¬†

“Generating electricity from renewable resources plays an important role in building a cleaner energy future, and Entergy Texas is seeking ways to diversify its generation portfolio and support the growing energy needs within our communities,” said Abigail Weaver, Entergy Texas director of resource planning and market operations. “By listening to our customers and understanding their sustainability needs, we are leading the way for adding more low-emission and carbon-free resources to the generation mix here in Southeast Texas.”

The Umbriel Solar facility is Entergy Texas’ first contracted solar resource that was selected through a renewables-focused request for proposals. The facility is owned and operated by , a US-based renewable energy developer. Located in Polk County, Texas, Umbriel Solar generates 150 MWac (202 MWdc) of electricity, which is enough energy to power more than 30,000 homes. The renewable energy generated helps avoid approximately 250,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. To put it more plainly — the addition of this new facility is equivalent to taking approximately 55,000 cars off the road each year that the facility is in operation.

Longroad finished construction of Umbriel Solar in November 2023, which is when Entergy Texas started receiving solar energy via its with the project.

“Longroad commends Entergy Texas on responding to the dual demands of generating more power and meeting customers’ desire for clean, renewable energy,” said Adam Horwitz, vice president of origination and development operations for Longroad ϳԹ. “We are proud that Longroad’s Umbriel Solar reached commercial operations, and has the distinction of being Entergy Texas’ first large-scale, solar energy resource.”¬†
 
Entergy Texas customers can directly benefit from Umbriel Solar by enrolling in the company’s program. The voluntary program provides the benefits of solar generation without the burden of owning solar panels. Under the new program, customers have the option to subscribe to a specified amount of renewable power and receive Renewable ϳԹ Credits and bill credits based on their subscription level.

To learn more about Entergy Texas’ renewable energy offerings, visit .¬†

About Entergy Texas 
Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to approximately 512,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of ϳԹ, a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans. Entergy powers life for 3 million customers through its operating companies across 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 Texas, visit the Newsroom and connect with @EntergyTX on social media.

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Sunflower Solar Plant ensures a ‘bright future’ for Entergy and Mississippi /blog/sunflower-solar-plant-ensures-bright-future-for-entergy-mississippi Thu, 21 Mar 2024 01:26:00 +0000 /sunflower-solar-plant-ensures-bright-future-for-entergy-mississippi When picturing renewable energy sources like wind, solar and hydroelectric power, it’s easy to first think of wide-open plains, cloudless desert skies and archway dams bordered by craggy overlooks and mountain passes.

However, as the need for renewable power sources grew in the early aughts, Entergy Mississippi began to look more closely at solar technology. The company’s Bright Future initiative, which kicked off in 2015, created a blueprint for the state’s electricity needs through 2025 and gave Entergy engineers an opportunity to learn more about the feasibility of solar technology in Mississippi.

Entergy Mississippi piloted its solar program at three locations within its 45-county certificated region: one each in Lincoln, Hinds and DeSoto counties. All three sites were similar in size and configured for 500 kW of power output. In Lincoln and DeSoto counties, the panels were fixed on a South-facing axis while the panels at the Hinds solar station rotated on a single axis to align with the sun’s movements.

“We learned a lot about the solar technology, but we also learned a lot about everything else that goes with solar generation,” said Aaron Hill, director of resource planning and market operations for Entergy Mississippi. “We learned how the timing of solar output correlates with our customer’s electricity usage, the overall vegetation maintenance requirements and even how to handle solar glass safely.”

Maximizing the power of the sun

Building on the knowledge gained through the first utility-owned utility-scale solar projects in the state, Entergy Mississippi found that solar works best on the days we all love: full sunny skies with moderate temperature of about 80 degrees. The company naturally chose the Delta, which averages 214 sunny days per year (4% higher than the national average), to partner and build its biggest solar project yet.

Sunflower Solar Station is the culmination of those research efforts and learnings—a large solar power station covering 1,000 acres near Ruleville in Sunflower County. Some 3,000 trackers control the movements of a staggering 272,000 solar panels, mimicking the sun’s natural East-to-West arc including adjustments for the position of the sun in all four seasons.

“We’ve taken our solar knowledge and experience and partnered to build the Sunflower Solar Project,” Hill said, “which will provide about 100MW of carbon-free energy for our Mississippi customers.” 

Entergy Mississippi turned on the site—the largest renewable energy-generating site in the state—in late 2022 and it now produces enough power for 16,000 homes. The solar station maximizes its energy potential throughout the day, and in the afternoon, the panels pivot to catch the westward sun as it sets.

“That afternoon period is important because that’s when our loads are usually at their highest, being a primarily residential state,” said Hill. “A lot of people start heading home from work in the late afternoon, and it’s also the warmest part of the day.  So, we understand the benefits of capturing that last bit of daytime sunshine.  However, solar doesn’t operate well at nighttime, so the transmission grid serves to help deliver power from other generators.”  

Increasing reliability while decreasing costs

Industrial customers typically want to know about Entergy Mississippi’s resource mix and whether they can get solar or other renewable energy as part of that mix. The reason is twofold: many companies have their own energy sustainability goals, but also, if they’re going to make a multi-million-dollar investment somewhere, they want to feel confident about the diversity and reliability of their power source.

Entergy also introduced a net-metering program for residents who install solar panels on their homes. A two-way meter installed at the home can receive electricity and return excess electricity generated by the panels. The customer is then credited for solar power generated at the home on their power bills.

“Thanks to the vision and foresight shared by our company leadership, the Bright Future projects are now leading us down a path toward a more sustainable energy mix,” Hill said, “And with our recent EDGE announcement for 1,000 additional megawatts of renewables, we’re targeting even more carbon-free energy to add to our portfolio.”

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Entergy Louisiana celebrates solar-powered milestone /news/entergy-louisiana-celebrates-solar-powered-milestone Wed, 21 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-louisiana-celebrates-solar-powered-milestone/ For the first time in the company’s history, renewable power has surpassed coal in energy production

BATON ROUGE, La. – Entergy Louisiana is proud to announce that the company has reached a new milestone in its commitment to using sustainable energy solutions to make its generation portfolio even cleaner while fostering economic development. For the first time in the company’s history, renewable power has surpassed coal in energy production.

According to data from the company’s 2023 power generation report, renewable energy production totaled over 1.1 million megawatt-hours (MWh), exceeding coal’s output of just over 900,000 MWh during the same period. This milestone underscores the increasing role of renewable energy sources in Louisiana’s energy mix as well as economics that favor cleaner generating resources such as modern gas.

“This achievement reflects Entergy Louisiana’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovation,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO. “We are proud to lead the way in transitioning towards cleaner energy sources while continuing to deliver reliable and affordable power to our customers.”

There are both economic and environmental considerations for adopting renewable power. Solar energy, for example, offers numerous benefits, including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved air quality and job creation within the local community.

Today, nearly 25% of the company’s generation portfolio comes from carbon-free resources, including nuclear and renewable technologies. Entergy Louisiana’s long-term vision includes further investments in clean energy infrastructure, especially utility-scale solar because it is becoming more economic and dependable. The company’s vision also includes further investments in energy efficiency programs and partnerships with local stakeholders to promote sustainability and resilience.

Currently, Entergy Louisiana has approximately 230 megawatts of renewable resources, including the facility, which began delivering power to the grid in October 2020. In January of this year, the Louisiana Public Service Commission approved a solar filing consisting of approximately , bringing the operating company’s total solar portfolio to over 3,000 MW in various stages of development and approval.

These newly approved solar developments in Louisiana are consistent with ϳԹ’s plans for as much as 15 to 17 gigawatts of renewable resources by the end of 2031. The company previously announced a commitment to .

“We recognize the importance of collaboration and engagement with customers, regulators and community partners in achieving our sustainability goals,” added May. “By working together, we can create a brighter, cleaner future for generations to come.”

In addition, the projects will enhance the state’s energy infrastructure, ensuring a reliable power supply to support the burgeoning needs of industry and businesses who do or will call Louisiana home.

To learn more about our renewable energy generation growth, visit entergy.com/renewable-energy.

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), a Fortune 500 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.

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Entergy New Orleans announces clean energy partnership with Feed the Second Line to empower N.O. /news/entergy-new-orleans-announces-clean-energy-partnership-with-feed-second-line-empower-new Tue, 20 Feb 2024 09:44:00 +0000 /blog-post/entergy-new-orleans-announces-clean-energy-partnership-with-feed-second-line-empower-new/ Entergy New Orleans is proud to announce its partnership with Feed the Second Line’s Get Lit, Stay Lit clean energy initiative. Entergy New Orleans’ contribution of $250,000 will fuel the organization’s mission of creating a robust safety net for local artists that prioritizes environmental resilience, renewable energy and community empowerment.

“We are thrilled to announce Entergy New Orleans’ partnership with Feed the Second Line on its groundbreaking clean energy initiative, Get Lit, Stay Lit,” stated Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “This partnership underscores our commitment to resiliency, renewable energy and to what makes our city so special – the people.”

Founded in 2021, FTSL, is a New Orleans-based nonprofit organization dedicated to uplifting and supporting the city’s vibrant culture-bearers, including Black Masking Indians, musicians, baby dolls and visual artists. Under the visionary leadership of Executive Director Tinice Williams, FTSL is pleased to acknowledge its partnership with Entergy New Orleans. The groundbreaking project, Get Lit, Stay Lit, is an initiative that promotes clean, renewable energy by transforming local restaurants into community hubs during crises such as hurricanes, flooding and heatwaves.

The Get Lit, Stay Lit project empowers local restaurants to adopt sustainable energy practices by installing microgrids. Most importantly, the project creates economic and job training opportunities in the solar industry for culture-bearers, contributing to the cultural and economic resilience of the community. Central to this initiative is Beanlandia, a community hub located in the Bywater area. Developed in collaboration with the Krewe of Red Beans, Beanlandia is set to be a solar-powered micro-hub that will strengthen community resilience during hurricanes and heatwaves.

“Entergy New Orleans plays a critical role in making our communities more resilient to the effects of climate change,” stated Williams. “Entergy New Orleans is an important leader that can make our communities safer, more equitable and more resilient.”

Feed the Second Line continues to champion environmental stewardship and community support through initiatives like Get Lit, Stay Lit and looks forward to a brighter, more sustainable future for New Orleans.

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