Entergy’s new Delta power plant seen as commitment to economic development
By Angela Buckner
JA Delta Correspondent
The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is the biggest news to hit the Mississippi Delta this year to the tune of $1.2 billion. Entergy has been lighting up the state for a century and its future looks even brighter thanks to great leadership within the power company and support from state and federal agencies.
“The groundbreaking of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is a significant step in our plan to transform our power generation portfolio for the future. We’re experiencing historic economic growth in our state. Investing in cleaner, more efficient power generation now will help us keep bills lower for customers than they otherwise would be in the future,” stated Haley Fisackerly, Entergy Mississippi President and CEO.
Congressman Bennie G. Thompson stated, “As we break ground on Entergy’s new Delta Blues Advanced Power Station, we are not just investing in Mississippi’s energy future; we are igniting a transformative opportunity for economic development across the Delta. This project represents a commitment to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions, but also represents a commitment to economic development that will create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and uplift our communities.”
Based on information gathered from Entergy, “The $1.2 billion investment represents a significant economic impact for the Mississippi Delta, including more than 300 construction jobs in the area over the next several years and additional revenue for Washington County. The new facility will provide at least 21 full-time jobs once completed.
According to Gov. Tate Reeves, “Working with our partners, we will be able to provide the power that is necessary to power the jobs, not of the last 50 years, but the next 50 years.”
During the groundbreaking ceremonies, attendees were entertained by local homegrown Mississippi Blues which solidified the name of the new project to be located on Stokes King Road. The power station will be a 754-megawatt plant capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area.
Alongside the groundbreaking, the company acknowledged the 50th Anniversary of Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station. It announced that this station is scheduled to go offline in 2028, soon as the new project is completed, turning the lights off on the old era of energy while embracing the new generation of things to come.
