Entergy opens $3.5 million substation training facility

Entergy Corporation recently opened the new Arthur “Dub” Barfield Training Substation, a facility in Clinton, Mississippi where Entergy employees can learn about and practice maintaining and operating a substation.

The facility is fully operational, containing both legacy and new equipment. The one exception of the facility is the lack of voltage. Students can develop foundational skills, gain troubleshooting experience
and earn switching certifications and the substation. Current employees will also be able to take refresher courses at the facility.

“This is the only training facility of its kind in Entergy’s four-state utility service territory,” Jim Schott,
vice president of transmission for Entergy, said. “It’s designed to give employees an opportunity to learn
and train in a safe environment because the training facility is not energized. The facility offers a critical first step to preparing new employees to effectively maintain essential infrastructure and reliably deliver electricity to customers.”

The facility is named for former Entergy Director of Transmission Grids Arthur “Dub” Barfield, who died in November 2015. Barfield worked at Entergy for nearly 35 years and advocated for safe work and training processes.

“This is a cutting-edge training facility that reflects Entergy’s commitment to excellence and adding value for our stakeholders, especially customers and employees,” Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi’s president and CEO, said. “This investment by the company supports Entergy’s We Power Life vision by ensuring a skilled workforce to deliver safe, reliable electricity for customers today and well into the future.”