Entergy Louisiana to purchase 475 megawatts of solar energy

Entergy Louisiana will purchase 475-megawatts of additional solar power from four different solar facilities across the state.

Specifically, the company will buy 150 megawatts from Vacherie Solar Energy Center in St. James Parish; 150 MWs from Jacques Louisiana Solar in St. James Parish; 125 MWs from the Elizabeth solar facility in Allen Parish; and 50 MWs from Sunlight Road Solar in Washington Parish. All are 20-year power purchase agreements.

“This is a major step forward for all of us in Louisiana,” Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and CEO, said. “These projects will provide clean and affordable energy for our communities and help our customers meet sustainability goals.”

The 350-megawatts of solar energy resources in St. James and Washington Parish will be built by D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI). The Allen Parish facility will be built by Opdenergy. The St. Jacques solar facility will be under a build-own-transfer agreement, meaning Entergy will own and maintain the facility once built.

“Our DESRI team is pleased to continue our work with Entergy to deliver clean, reliable, and cost-effective renewable energy to Louisiana residents,” Hy Martin, chief development officer of DESRI, said. “Our team has now partnered with Entergy on 420-megawatts of solar resources throughout their territory. These projects will benefit our host communities for years to come.”

These new purchases are in addition to the 50 megawatts of solar the company purchases through the Capital Region Solar plant in West Baton Rouge.

“Opdenergy is very excited about the opportunity to construct our first solar project in Louisiana,” Braden Houston, managing director of solar development of Opdenergy, said. “We are honored to be able to work with Entergy and at the same time add significantly to the economic development and tax base in Allen Parish and the rest of the state.”

Entergy Louisiana currently has roughly 240 megawatts of renewable resources. Overall, the company provides electric service to approximately 1.1 million customers and natural gas service to more than 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area.