Entergy New Orleans partnered with the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, or SWBNO, on the development of the Sullivan Substation, a key component of SWBNO’s broader Power Complex. This initiative represents an important step in ensuring the city’s residents and businesses have access to reliable electricity and effective stormwater management, especially in a city vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

Sullivan Substation is currently online and prepared to support the city through critical weather events. Its completion marks an important milestone in SWBNO’s Power Complex. This project strengthens the city’s water and drainage systems and highlights the impact of cross-sector collaboration.

For many years, SWBNO has generated its own power using turbine generators dating back to the 1920s. The new Power Complex will connect Entergy’s electrical grid as its primary power source, with SWBNO’s more modern generators serving as a backup. This approach improves the reliability of water and storm drainage services across the city.

The success of this project was the result of extensive cross-sector collaboration. Federal and state agencies, SWBNO, Entergy New Orleans and Black & Veatch worked together to bring the Sullivan Substation and the rest of the Power Complex to life, overcoming technical and environmental challenges to deliver a more reliable and sustainable solution for the city.

“We’re proud to partner with the SWBNO and Black & Veatch to bring the Sullivan Substation to life,” said Deanna Rodriguez, president and CEO at Entergy New Orleans. “Through hands-on collaboration, we were able to address complex challenges and design a substation that ensures the city has the power it needs to keep water pumping during critical events.”

Sullivan Substation was built on land initially unsuitable for construction. To create a stable foundation, the partners worked collaboratively to raise the ground and install piles beneath the site to support the substation.

The substation incorporates upgrades that help deliver more reliable power and prevent outages. Special equipment and protective measures, like insulated switch gears and barriers, mitigate animal intrusion, ensuring the substation operates safely and effectively.

Entergy New Orleans remains committed to working across sectors to ensure the city we live in continues to thrive for residents, businesses, and future generations.