Entergy Louisiana has been approved by the state Public Service Commission to purchase power from four Louisiana solar “farms” that are in the planning and construction stages. Entergy President Phillip May said expanding into green energy sources helps fulfill a growing demand for cleaner electricity while lowering dependence on fossil fuels to generate power.
“The net of this is it will help stabilize rates, meaning we won’t the increases as frequent from natural gas or as large from natural gas, so it helps to stabilize the price of electricity and provides clean electricity for growth,” said May.
Entergy will purchase 475 megawatts of power from plants in St. James, Washington, and Allen parishes. The PSC also approved Entergy’s “Geaux Green” option, creating a new green energy tariff.
“And that tariff will allow our customers to access that clean energy because it is increasingly a prerequisite for growth in this state,” said May.
Most of the solar farm sites are expected to begin producing power by early 2024. Entergy will buy their electricity under 20-year agreements. May said it’s a big step forward for Entergy in moving to newer, cleaner energy sources.
“This is an important decision by the Public Service Commission that will enable that growth and make way for a cleaner future,” said May.
Story by Kevin Gallagher
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