Entergy demolishes retired Baxter Wilson plant
JANS – Entergy Mississippi demolished key large structures at the retired Baxter Wilson Steam Electric Station near Vicksburg Dec. 17. Once cleared, the site will become the home of the new Vicksburg Advanced Power Station, an advanced natural gas power plant under construction and expected to be operational in August 2028.
Retiring the legacy generating plant and replacing it with a new plant is part of Superpower Mississippi, the campaign by Entergy Mississippi to modernize the grid and provide more and efficient power at a lower cost to customers.
The Baxter Wilson plant was deactivated in 2022. Decommissioning efforts, such as safely removing chemicals and equipment, disconnecting power sources, and dismantling outlying structures, were conducted before the implosion. Entergy continues to own the land that the plant sat on.
The successful demolition lasted five minutes. It was accompanied by an approximately 15-minute traffic delay on nearby roads and waterways for safety purposes.
Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi president and CEO, said, “Our state is experiencing historic economic development growth, including the advent of large data centers and other commercial and industrial projects. Energy demand is unprecedented. From technology centers to household electronics to businesses expanding, our customers’ energy needs are growing. And we’re building the infrastructure needed to support this economic growth.”
Fisackerly thanked employees who operated the Baxter Wilson plant since 1964 when construction began.
“This family of dedicated workers were a key part of the Vicksburg community. Several generations of our employees worked their entire careers at the site and in the surrounding region, making sure that power was safely produced, transmitted, and delivered to the people who needed it,” he said.
Learn more about Superpower Mississippi: www.entergymississippi.com/superpowerms.
