Investment in new infrastructure will
transform Northeast Louisiana
economy for generations
RICHLAND
PARISH, La., Dec. 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Entergy Louisiana is pleased to announce plans to
invest in modern, efficient generation facilities and robust
transmission infrastructure to support the region and Meta's data
center representing a $10 billion in
investment in Richland Parish.
Once completed, it will be Meta's largest data center at more than
4-million square feet.
This transformative project promises to revitalize Northeast Louisiana's economy, creating jobs,
bolstering infrastructure and driving significant economic growth
in the region, based on this project and others that may
follow.
"Today marks a turning point for Northeast Louisiana," said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president and
CEO. "This is more than just an investment in infrastructure; it's
an investment in the people, businesses and communities of our
state. Entergy Louisiana is proud to partner with Meta to bring
this vision to life and support a project that will help shape the
region's future for decades to come."
Just as Entergy's founder, Harvey
Couch, pioneered new power solutions nearly a century ago,
Entergy Louisiana is building on its legacy of innovation and
commitment to community growth. By constructing cutting-edge
electric infrastructure, Entergy is laying the foundation for
economic success in a region that has faced challenges such as
population decline and outward migration.
Strategic site selection
Meta's data center will be built on what is referred to as the
Franklin Farm mega site, a more than 1,400-acre certified site, in
Richland Parish, Louisiana, that
boasts proximity to existing utility infrastructure and robust
transportation routes. Entergy Louisiana marketed the
site through its Site Selection Center and
GoEntergy platforms, emphasizing its potential for large-scale
developments.
"We're not going to just be powering a facility, we're going to
be empowering a community," May added. "From job creation to
infrastructure improvements, this partnership with Meta
demonstrates what's possible when innovative companies and
communities come together to build a brighter future.
"Our team is proud to have played a significant role in
assisting the State of Louisiana
in recruiting this project to our state."
Economic impact
Meta has announced their significant investment and associated
impacts for their new artificial intelligence-optimized data
center. Louisiana will benefit far
more than just the investment made Meta. Entergy Louisiana's
investment will also provide jobs to bolster our
communities.
During construction, Entergy Louisiana projects will provide
significant economic benefits and create:
- 1,500 to 1,800 construction jobs for the new advanced
generation units being constructed
- 3,500 to 5,000 construction jobs for substation and
transmission investment
- 44 permanent jobs
Richland Parish, known for its
rich agricultural history and community traditions, stands to
benefit significantly from this development.
Infrastructure to power progress
To support the Richland Parish Data Center, as well as broader
economic development in the state and our growing customer base,
Entergy Louisiana will:
- Build three combined-cycle combustion turbines with a combined
capacity of 2,260 megawatts, two of which will be in Richland Parish
- Construct two Entergy-owned substations and six customer-owned
substations
- Install nearly 100 miles of 500kV transmission lines and eight
new 230kV transmission lines
- Upgrade existing infrastructure, including a substation near
Sterlington
Pending regulatory approval, the new generators are expected to
come online between 2028 and 2029.
Shared costs and community benefits
Revenue from Meta will significantly offset the costs associated
to make service available to the company's data center and the
region. Moreover, Meta will also share in the future cost of
providing service like other customers including Formula Rate Plan
costs, securitized storm costs and resiliency costs – this is
expected to reduce costs that existing customers would otherwise
pay by more than $300 million.
Additionally, Meta has committed to contributing to Entergy's The
Power to Care program, matching $1
million in shareholder contributions to assist older adults
and individuals with disabilities in paying utility bills.
Commitment to sustainability
Both Meta and Entergy Louisiana are committed to sustainability.
The new generators will initially support the ability to utilize
30% hydrogen co-firing and, through future upgrades, the ability to
transition to 100% hydrogen and incorporate carbon capture and
sequestration technology.
Meta has also committed to helping fund CCS technology at an
Entergy power plant in Lake
Charles as well as 1,500 megawatts of new solar and storage
resources, complementing Entergy Louisiana's efforts to add 3
gigawatts of solar energy.
The companies have also committed to exploring nuclear energy as
a future power supply option alongside renewable sources like solar
and wind. This effort includes researching conventional nuclear
technologies, supporting small modular reactors and potential
upgrades to enhance the output of existing nuclear plants in
Southeast Louisiana.
About Entergy Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana, LLC provides electric service to more than 1
million customers in 58 parishes and natural gas service to more
than 94,000 customers in Baton Rouge,
Louisiana. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy
Corporation (NYSE: ETR), a Fortune 500 company. Entergy powers life
for 3 million customers through our operating companies in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We're investing in the reliability,
resilience and growth of the energy system while helping our region
transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots
in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally
recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship.
Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100
million in economic benefits each year to local communities
through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is
headquartered in New Orleans,
Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements
In this news release, and from time to time, Entergy Louisiana
makes certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements
regarding Entergy Louisiana's planned capital investments and its
operational and load growth outlooks; and other statements of
Entergy Louisiana's plans, beliefs, or expectations included in
this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as
of the date of this news release. Except to the extent required by
the federal securities laws, Entergy Louisiana undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, whether as a result of new information, future events,
or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks,
uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in such
forward-looking statements, including (a) those factors discussed
elsewhere in this news release and in Entergy Louisiana's most
recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, any subsequent Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q, and Entergy Louisiana's other reports and filings
made under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (b) uncertainties
associated with (1) rate proceedings, formula rate plans, and other
cost recovery mechanisms, including the risk that costs may not be
recoverable to the extent or on the timeline anticipated by the
utilities and (2) implementation of the ratemaking effects of
changes in law; (c) risks associated with operating nuclear
facilities, including plant relicensing, operating, and regulatory
costs and risks; (d) risks and uncertainties associated with
executing on business strategies, including (1) strategic
transactions that Entergy or its subsidiaries may undertake and the
risk that any such transaction may not be completed as and when
expected and the risk that the anticipated benefits of the
transaction may not be realized, and (2) Entergy's ability to meet
the rapidly growing demand for electricity, including from
hyperscale data center and other large customers, and to manage the
impacts of such growth on customers and Entergy's business; (e)
direct and indirect impacts to Entergy or its customers from
pandemics, terrorist attacks, geopolitical conflicts, cybersecurity
threats, data security breaches, or other attempts to disrupt
Entergy's business or operations, and/or other catastrophic events;
and (f) effects on Entergy or its customers of (1) changes in
federal, state, or local laws and regulations and other
governmental actions or policies, including changes in monetary,
fiscal, tax, environmental, or energy policies; (2) changes in
commodity markets, capital markets, or economic conditions; and (3)
technological change, including the costs, pace of development, and
commercialization of new and emerging technologies.
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/entergy-louisiana-to-power-metas-data-center-in-richland-parish-302324046.html
SOURCE Entergy Corporation