Entergy plans new generation facility in southeast Texas
Entergy Texas, Inc. announced Thursday that they had begun the process of seeking approval to construct a 1,215-megawatt, dual-fuel combined cycle power facility in southeast Texas.
As part of the company’s plan to meet the growing demand for power across Southeast Texas and modernize its generation fleet, the plant will be located near Bridge City, Texas. It will be capable of powering more than 230,000 homes. The plant will use a combination of natural gas and hydrogen.
“The Orange County Advanced Power Station is a Texas project for Texas customers,” said Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “The addition of this facility will continue our work to provide reliable, low-cost and clean energy in Southeast Texas and will provide more than $1.5 billion in net benefits to customers by reducing reliance on energy markets.”
The Orange County Advanced Power Station will play a major role in creating jobs and driving increased economic activity, according to an outside economic impact analysis by TXP, Inc. The analysis found that construction was estimated to provide more than 7,000 direct jobs in Texas and nearly $1.8 billion in economic activity for the regional economy. When the plant is operational, it will provide an estimated 27 permanent direct jobs in Texas.
The power plant will be built with an eye on long-term sustainability, the company said, in an economy that increasingly focuses on decarbonization. Using hydrogen would provide the plant with a zero carbon emission fuel source, which fuels its long-term viability for customers and the Southeast Texas community.
“Southeast Texas is well-positioned to play a key role in the transition to increased use of hydrogen in electric generation,” said Rainer. “Our region is home to hydrogen producers, pipelines, storage, and industrial users. We look forward to working with industry partners on the role the Orange County Advanced Power Station will play in providing reliable power while also meeting the sustainability needs of our customers and communities and also to establish Southeast Texas as a global hub for hydrogen production and consumption.”
