Entergy Texas add new low-cost power for its customers
Published 1:05 pm Wednesday, October 19, 2016
Special to The Leader
Beaumont, Texas – On Friday, Entergy Texas, Inc. (ETI) filed an application with the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) for the construction of Montgomery County Power Station, a combined-cycle natural gas unit. This filing is a major step towards providing the next generation of reliable, low-cost power for ETI’s customers.
“We are focused on serving our customers and communities now and into the future. I’m proud that Entergy Texas is making this landmark investment to meet future needs,” said Sallie Rainer, president and CEO of Entergy Texas. “The Montgomery County Power Station is an investment in modern technology that will save our customers $1.7 billion over 30 years by reducing our reliance on energy markets.”
Montgomery County Power Station will create significant benefits for our customers. By utilizing modern combined-cycle gas turbine technology, the project will reduce fuel costs and provide reliable power. These fuel savings will pay off the cost of construction after only 10 years of operation – a third of the plant’s lifecycle.
Located next to Entergy Texas’ Lewis Creek power units on the Lewis Creek Reservoir, this site already has some of the needed infrastructure to support a new power station. The Lewis Creek units will remain in service as the new unit comes online. This 993 MW plant will use state-of-the-art emission control technology to lower air emissions.
Additionally, the project will provide benefits to the local economy. Estimates indicate that construction will provide more than 2,800 direct jobs in Texas and nearly $1 billion in economic activity for the regional economy. Once operational, the plant will provide approximately 25 permanent direct jobs in Texas.
“This is a Texas project for Texas customers,” continued Rainer. “We look forward to working with all stakeholders throughout this process.”
Pending approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas, Entergy Texas is proposing to begin construction in the first quarter of 2019. Entergy Texas expects the plant to be in service by summer 2021.
Entergy Texas, Inc. provides electricity to more than 430,000 customers in 27 counties. Entergy Texas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 10,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.8 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $11.5 billion and more than 13,000 employees.