Entergy has received an approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission to construct the Lake Charles Power Station, a 994MW combined-cycle power plant in Westlake, Louisiana.
The natural gas-fired plant, which is scheduled to become operational by June 2020, will be built with a cost of $872m.
The company expects to issue further details on the construction of the plant by 1 August.
Entergy Louisiana president and CEO Phillip May said: “The Lake Charles Power Station will supply the energy we need to help the communities and customers we serve prosper.
“This plant will not only provide needed generating capacity for the fast-growing region, but it’s another step in our ongoing effort to upgrade Entergy Louisiana’s plants so they operate more efficiently, affordably and with fewer emissions.”
Entergy Louisiana said that the plant is part of its plans to offer clean, efficient energy required to foster economic growth and bring improved savings to its customers.
The plant is estimated to provide a savings of between $1.3bn and $2bn to customers over its anticipated 30-year operating life.
Besides, the combined cycle power plant is expected to eliminate the need for $600m of transmission projects to maintain reliability in the Lake Charles region.
May said: “This project will not only help customers’ budgets in the long run, but it will reduce our environmental footprint as well.
“Compared to our older natural gas-fired plants, combined-cycle units like the Lake Charles Power Station will, on average, cut carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 40%.”
The project will also have a significant positive impact on the Louisiana’s economy.
According to an analysis by Louisiana economist Dr. Loren Scott, the plant’s construction phase will create on average an estimated 1,200 direct and indirect jobs annually across the state.
Upon completion, the plant is expected to employ approximately 30 people.
Image: The natural gas-fired plant will be built with a cost of $872m.Photo courtesy of Entergy Corporation.