Growth is happening fast in Southeast Texas, but what happens if the power system doesn’t keep up? New homes are being built, businesses are expanding, and industries are investing heavily in the region. With that growth comes a significant responsibility to make sure our communities stay powered, resilient and ready for the future.
Since 2020, the region has added tens of thousands of new customers, with many more expected in the years ahead. In fact, the customer growth we’re planning for this decade is comparable to powering a city the size of Conroe, and we’re already more than halfway there.
With over 100,000 new customers moving into Southeast Texas during this decade, more families will expect the lights to come on when they gather around the kitchen table for dinner, more businesses will be counting on their systems to power up when teams begin their workday and more industrial facilities will rely on sustained power to produce products around the clock.
That kind of growth requires more than keeping pace. It requires planning ahead.
At Entergy Texas, that’s exactly what we’re doing through our Southeast Texas Energy Plan, or STEP Ahead. It’s a long-term strategy focused on making the right investments now so our customers can continue to count on reliable, affordable power as their communities grow.
Why this matters for our customers and communities
By executing our growth strategy, customers will benefit from:
- Smarter, more efficient generation that helps manage long-term costs
- More reliable power during extreme weather
- Faster recovery after storms
- Capacity to support new jobs and economic growth
To support that future, Entergy Texas is investing in new, modern power generation designed to efficiently deliver more electricity. Facilities like the Orange County Advanced Power Station, Legend Power Station and Lone Star Power Station will help make sure homes, schools and businesses have the energy they need—when they need it most. These plants use advanced technology that is significantly more efficient than older resources, helping reduce fuel use and support long-term affordability for customers.
Beyond reliability and cost, these investments also support the communities we serve in other meaningful ways, from construction jobs and local economic activity to the long-term stability required for businesses to grow and invest in Southeast Texas.
At the same time, we are strengthening the grid that delivers power to our communities. Through STEP Ahead, Entergy Texas is upgrading and expanding transmission infrastructure to better withstand extreme weather and improve how electricity flows across the region. These investments are designed to reduce outages, limit the impact of major storms and help restore power faster when it matters most.
Keeping energy costs affordable for our customers and communities
Every STEP Ahead investment is designed to strike the right balance between reliability and affordability. It’s about making smart, forward‑looking decisions that help protect customers from rising costs, strengthen our communities, and deliver real value for decades to come.
The new, highly efficient facilities we’re bringing online use less fuel and operate more efficiently than older plants. That efficiency helps manage long‑term costs and supports our commitment to maintaining affordable rates. By upgrading the system today, we’re avoiding more expensive maintenance down the road and ensuring customers continue receiving reliable service at a competitive price.
Growth like this doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of careful planning, smart investments and a steadfast commitment to our communities. By staying a STEP Ahead today, we are helping ensure Southeast Texas remains a place where communities thrive, businesses grow and new opportunities are possible.
