Entergy commits to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050

The Entergy Corp. last week joined the increasing number of companies dedicating themselves to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, laying out plans to integrate renewable energy and storage resources, incorporate emerging technologies and collaborate with other sectors.

As part of the company’s new plans, Entergy will integrate greener sources of energy into its long-term generation portfolio and continue to invest in existing zero-carbon measures, such as nuclear power, as well as natural gas generating units that are more efficient than older, less efficient gas-powered units and coal. These latter units will be increasingly retired, as Entergy evaluates and modifies its portfolio with emerging technologies, such as distributed resources.

“Entergy remains focused on helping our stakeholders achieve their most ambitious aspirations in a reliable, affordable and sustainable way through new technologies and innovative solutions,” Leo Denault, Entergy’s chairman of the board and CEO, said. “In 2001, we were the first utility in the nation to voluntarily limit carbon emissions and today’s 2050 climate commitment is another major step forward in enabling customers to achieve their desired outcomes while consuming the least amount of resources.”

Other actions Entergy is eyeing include enhancing natural systems like wetlands as a means of absorbing carbon emissions and cooperating with other sectors to create net-emission reduction initiatives. New agreements with Invenergy and Mitsubishi Power will aim for renewable energy development and fuel supply emissions reduction, respectively, as a way to advance Entergy’s sustainability goals. These will yield new renewable energy facilities and push to co-fire hydrogen produced from renewable energy.

Notably, the pathway to the net-zero commitment will include a goal to halve the carbon emissions rate by 2030, when compared to 2000 levels. Already this year, the company is outperforming its previously stated commitment to maintaining carbon emissions to 20 percent below 2000 levels, by 8 percent.