Entergy Louisiana to buy solar power from new solar plant in Baton Rouge
Entergy Louisiana is planning to acquire the output from a new solar power plant that will be constructed near Port Allen in West Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
The 50-megawatt plant is being developed by LA3 West Baton Rouge, which is a subsidiary of Eagle Solar Group. Construction will begin in mid-2019 and is expected to be completed in 2020.
“This is a win for customers of Entergy Louisiana and a win for the environment,” Phillip May, president and CEO of Entergy Louisiana, said. “Our generating portfolio is among the cleanest in the nation. Entergy’s CO2 emission rate is the fourth lowest among the top 20 power producers. This 20-year agreement is one more step in our commitment to look to renewable energy resources to offer our customers clean, reliable and economic energy.”
With the acquisition of solar power from this plant, Entergy Louisiana will add to its approximately 180 megawatts of renewable resources. Entergy Louisiana’s portfolio currently includes hydro, biomass, waste heat energy and the state’s two largest sources of carbon-free energy – the Waterford 3 and River Bend nuclear units.
“Eagle Solar is proud to partner with Entergy Louisiana on this important project, and today’s approval by the Louisiana Public Service Commission brings us closer to breaking ground on this meaningful solar facility,” William Lee, CEO of Eagle Solar Group, said.
The construction of the plant will create 350 jobs and will generate around $6.4 million in tax revenue to the region over the next 30 years. A percentage of their investment will be donated to local charities, said Eagle Solar officials.
Entergy Louisiana provides electric service to roughly 1 million customers and natural gas service to nearly 93,000 customers in the Baton Rouge area.
