Entergy Texas cleared to build clean energy station in Southeast Texas

Entergy Texas received approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas to build a new advanced 1,215-megawatt power facility near Bridge City, Texas.

The Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS) will be a combined cycle power facility that will serve as the foundation for cleaner, more reliable power in Southeast Texas, the company said. The plant will replace end-of-life legacy gas generation with more modern and efficient energy generation capable of powering more than 230,000 homes.

“We are excited to reach this significant milestone for OCAPS,” said Eliecer Viamontes, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “The facility will power communities for years to come and continue our mission of providing cleaner, more reliable, and lower-cost energy for Southeast Texas. The Public Utility Commission’s decision also preserves the opportunity for Entergy Texas to unlock the plant’s ability to co-fire hydrogen in the near future, which supports the plant’s long-term viability and benefits customers.”

Located in one of the largest industrial regions in the nation, the plant is expected to create more than $100 million in fuel savings in its first year. It is expected to provide more than $1 billion in net benefits to customers over its lifespan. Company officials said the plant will provide power to the area with a significantly lower emissions rate than the legacy system it is designed to replace.

The facility is also expected to drive economic development in the area. The company said an outside analysis conducted by TXP, Inc. found that the facility’s construction alone will create nearly $11.8 billion in economic activity, resulting in more than 7,000 direct jobs and an estimated 27 permanent jobs once the facility is operational,

Officials said construction is expected to start next year, with a target completion date in 2026.