Entergy Mississippi selects new power generation site, prioritizes community needs
JANS – Entergy Mississippi is prioritizing community needs, while preparing to meet future energy demands. Company leaders shared early plans to build new power generation and welcomed input from residents near a selected site on West County Line Road in Ridgeland, during a town hall Friday, Apr. 11.
Initial insights include the millions in cost-saving benefits for all customers, since the location is near robust transmission lines, supporting grid interconnection. Additionally, investment in new technology, like an advanced combined-cycle combustion turbine natural gas plant, would produce more power from the same fuel and lower costs.
The new power station would also benefit the community and surrounding region by bringing in temporary construction jobs and full-time positions.
“Planned power generation retirements and growth across our service area is driving us to think ahead, so we can continue serving reliable, efficient, and affordable power to our customers. While it’s very early in the process, we’re connecting with the community. Our goal is to ensure the project considers their needs, including integrating the facility into the surrounding area with the goal of minimizing visual impact,” said Robbie Kemp, vice president of customer service.
“We understand that residents have concerns, and the safety of our communities and employees has always been our leading value. It’s why our local power generation fleet meets or exceeds the EPA and MDEQ health requirements and abide by noise ordinances. This new site will be no different,” said Jeremy Vanderloo, vice president of business operations.
In October, the company broke ground on a similar plant to the one proposed, in Greenville, Mississippi. The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility; represents a $1.2 billion investment; and will employ about 21 full-time personnel once it comes online.
Representatives from the company will use input from Apr. 11’s town hall to inform the developing power station plans.
