Entergy breaks ground on $872 million Lake Charles Power Station

Updated: Jan. 22, 2018 at 6:36 PM CST
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CALCASIEU PARISH, LA (KPLC) - Entergy is making a big investment in our area to increase its generating capacity. The new $872 million dollar Lake Charles Power Station is expected to help promote economic growth by providing reliable and affordable power.

Off Houston River Road is Entergy's coal-fired power plant, Nelson Six, which is about 40 years old.  Next to it will the new gas-fired plant that will increase capacity while using half the fuel.

Entergy officials say the highly efficient plant is projected to lower consumer energy costs.

"An investment like this will help Louisiana maintain the lowest rates in the nation. as many of you know, we enjoy having some of the lowest rates in the nation," said Phillip May, President and CEO of Entergy Louisiana.

"This new unit is another element of our plan to ensure there is an abundant supply of clean, affordable, safe and reliable energy available to meet the needs of our current customers as well as keep pace with Louisiana's expanding economy. The Lake Charles area is one of the fastest-growing regions in the nation thanks to the billions being invested in new and expanded industrial facilities," said May.

"Many groups and individuals, including the Louisiana Public Service Commission and the civic and community leaders of Calcasieu Parish, have helped us make this project not just part of a plan, but a reality. Our pledge to them is to continue following the blueprint to create a bright future for Louisiana," May said.

Louisiana Secretary of Economic Development, Don Pierson, says low cost and capacity are crucial for growth.

"It's made possible by having the capacity to talk to a company with the magnitude of the power demand that you see here and can your infrastructure deliver? With a partner like Entergy we're confident in saying, 'Yes we can deliver,'" he said.

Public Service Commissioner Mike Francis says it's great for the future.

"A lot of our kids and grand kids will be thanking us that we voted to put a new generating facility here to guarantee electricity at what has been said is the lowest rates in the United States.  Louisiana is not first in many categories.  But boys and girls in the electricity business, we're top shelf. And we're going to push that and sell it.  It's one of the reasons industry continues to come here to Louisiana," said Francis.

The governor was not at the groundbreaking, but says the state's commitment to improving infrastructure is one of the main reasons investors flock to Louisiana.

Edwards calls the project vitally important to produce cleaner, more efficient power for residential and commercial rate payers.

Entergy's contractor on the project is CB&I. At the height of construction, 700 people will be employed on site. Once complete, there will be 31 full time employees.

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