Through the hard work and dedication of Entergy team members and contract partners, a brighter energy future is rising from an empty field in Greenville, Mississippi. The new Delta Blues Advanced Power Station, announced in a groundbreaking ceremony in November 2024, is taking shape as significant milestones are reached.

The project is currently transitioning from anchor bolts down work to anchor bolts up work as the Heat Recovery Steam Generator Modules are being erected into place. Heat Recovery Steam Generators recover waste heat from the gas turbine to create super-heated steam that drives the steam turbine.

These modules are key components to the efficiency benefits of a combined-cycle combustion turbine facility. New combined-cycle natural gas technology reduces emissions and produces more power from the same fuel. The new facility is designed to support blended hydrogen to produce reliable energy while significantly reducing carbon emissions.

The combustion turbine (CT), which uses a natural gas–air mixture to drive the generator, recently arrived on site. Once installed, it will provide more than half of the site’s total megawatt output. The turbine’s exhaust heat will also be used to produce steam for the steam turbine, enhancing overall plant efficiency.

“These delivery milestones are an attestation to the collaboration between Entergy, our contract partners, and local entities. It is important to recognize important moments in the construction of Delta Blues Advanced Power Station and the legacy we are establishing in the Mississippi Delta,” said Ernest Rufus, senior manager, capital projects. “Additionally, this effort has required an enormous amount of teamwork, planning, focus, and problem-solving. While we still have a tremendous amount of construction, inspections and testing, these milestones demonstrate that we are on track to meet our projected timeline.”

Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area. The $1.2 billion investment represents a significant economic impact for the Mississippi Delta, including more than 300 construction jobs in the area while it is being built and additional tax revenue for Washington County, now and in the years to come. Entergy will employ about 21 full-time personnel to operate the plant when fully operational.

“Just as Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station powered life in the Delta reliably and efficiently for 50 years, Delta Blues will ensure that customers continue to have modern, reliable energy well into the future,” said Ryan Merideth, plant manager. “This facility will serve our customers well and help attract new industry and jobs to Mississippi. I am thankful to all those who have a hand in bringing this project to fruition. It will be a tremendous asset to the Entergy fleet.”

Delta Blues Advanced Power Station represents a key component in the Superpower Mississippi plan to bring more and better power at a lower cost to customers. Replacing legacy power plants with new, more efficient power generation sources provides long-term savings to customers. Modern natural gas plants are 40% more fuel efficient than our older facilities, saving customers more money on future bills for decades to come.

In the short term, expediting the construction of this and other generation units at the time of new, large industrial technology customers’ investments in the grid will reduce forecasted bill increases by 16% through 2030.