Announced in September, Superpower Mississippi is a five-year plan to make the largest and most comprehensive upgrades to the power grid in Entergy Mississippi’s 100-year history. Entergy will spend 50% more on grid improvements, to achieve a 50% reduction in power outages, all at 0% cost to customers.
We begin at the end. The last story of the year, the recent demolition of key large structures at the retired Baxter Wilson plant in Vicksburg was a powerful symbol of the growth fueling Superpower Mississippi, the largest, most comprehensive grid upgrade in Entergy Mississippi’s 100+ year history.
The Baxter Wilson demolition also symbolizes the traditional “out with the old, in with the new” adage that is prevalent as we transition from one year to the next. The Vicksburg Advanced Power Station, which will located on land that was home to Baxter Wilson for more than 50 years, is part of Superpower Mississippi and represents an investment of $1.2 billion. The facility will help to ensure that Entergy Mississippi customers continue to have the energy they need well into the future by replacing end-of-life legacy and already retired gas generation with new and efficient generation capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area.
Also in the spirit of transitioning from the old and making way for the new, we said good-bye to Lake Hico, closing the chapter on the Rex Brown Cooling Pond, which was created in the 1950’s to supply a pipeline from the Pearl River to the Rex Brown Steam Electric Station. Retired in 2019, the plant sat on Entergy property, but the cooling pond was on 16th section land, managed by Jackson Public Schools, so we have returned the property to JPS.
Transformative growth
The growth making these grid improvements possible is the result of focused economic development efforts, including the Excellerator Competitive Communities program, the company’s annual economic development grant to help boost business growth in communities in our service area. This year’s awards marks $670K lifetime investment in attracting industry.
One of Mississippi’s recent economic development success stories is the selection of the state as a site for data center campuses. With both Amazon and AVAIO locating in Entergy Mississippi’s service area, the company has been recognized as a leader in serving the power needs of data centers.
Last June, Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, was asked to share expertise on how data centers and energy demand are shaping the future. He participated in an Executive Conversation at the POLITICO Energy Summit and on a panel at the AWS Summit, both held in Washington, D.C. At the summits, he explained why the Gulf South region is attractive to companies, both in AI and beyond, the challenges in adding and serving large customers, how Entergy is meeting those challenges, and the ultimate benefits large companies bring to the communities and states they select.
Affordability
One of those benefits is creating a framework that allows us to invest in our infrastructure while lessening the burden for our residential customers. In June, the Mississippi Public Service Commission approved Entergy Mississippi’s annual rate plan to keep energy rates stable and bills 20% below the national average.
To help older adults and customers with disabilities with their bills, Entergy Mississippi contributed $628,000 in bill assistance, distributed through Entergy’s The Power to Care program, which employees, customers and shareholders. The contributions were announced during Beat the Heat Day events, where we gave away fans and energy efficiency kits to households in need.
In addition to helping residents operate their homes more efficiently, Entergy Mississippi also helped several schools in its service area save more than $350,000 on upgrades to HVAC systems, lighting and commercial cooking equipment through the Entergy Solutions for Business Program, which provides financial incentives and technical assistance when replacing old and inefficient equipment and systems with energy-efficient technologies.
Giving back
Giving back through grants, gifts and volunteering was demonstrated throughout the year. In response to March tornadoes that devastated several counties in our service area, Entergy Mississippi committed $25,000 to providing critical relief to families and individuals hit by the storms.
Through Entergy Mississippi’s signature Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Caring event, held recently in partnership with Extra Table FEEDS, volunteers packed 10,000 meal boxes, helping to feed families across the state. The meal boxes were picked up by area food banks to be shared with neighbors in need.
The Power Your Future Scholarship program, designed to support current college undergraduates pursuing eligible technology majors who plan to further their education at designated select Historically Black Colleges or Universities or minority-serving institutions within Mississippi, launched in March, with three Jackson State University students receiving the scholarship in August.
Also helping students achieve their educational goals is the Get2College Mobile Unit, a state-of-the-art college access and planning center made possible through a partnership between The Woodward Hines Education Foundation, Entergy and the Walton Family Foundation. The mobile unit, supported in part by a recent $50,000 grant from Entergy Mississippi, delivers post-secondary planning to rural and underserved communities.
Another grant will help Jackson, Mississippi, residents and visitors enjoy walking or cycling through the city’s historic downtown. The grant provided $250,000 from the Entergy Environmental Initiatives Fund, which is funded by company shareholders, for the latest phase of the Museum Trail, a multi-use greenway. The trail provides access to recreation areas, local culture and history, public art, nature, and transportation alternatives.
Once again, Entergy Mississippi sponsored the Magic of Lights, the drive-through holiday lights spectacular at the Brandon Amphitheater and distributed energy efficiency kits on two evenings during its run.
Safety and restoration
As with every year, weather impacted our work. A winter storm that blanketed some areas of the service area with snow and brought thunderstorms across a widespread area. In total, the storm damaged 13 transmission lines, two transmission towers, eight insulator assemblies, 209 distribution poles, 58 distribution transformers, and brought down more than 49 miles of wire. Restoration was completed in five days.
A tornado outbreak in March spawned 18 twisters in two days, causing damage to 316 distribution poles, 57 transformers, 224 crossarms, and 27 miles of wire. Transmission equipment also took a big hit, as winds twisted 34 structures to the ground, including five steel poles that had recently been replaced and six large steel lattice towers. More than 860 workers, including linemen, tree trimmers, contractors and personnel restored power in four days.
Team members focused on safety throughout restoration efforts and all work throughout the year. Many, like Andy Hearn and his daughter, find creative ways to keep safety top-of-mind. Lineworkers were honored for their focus on safety, hard work and dedication to safety. Kutter McLaughlin, a shift serviceman in Jackson, and Nathan Enriquez, a lineman in the Cleveland network, were named Linemen of the Game.
The Kent Hull Trophy is presented by Entergy annually at the C Spire Conerly Banquet at the end of the college football regular season and Entergy Mississippi also selects one of our all-star lineworkers to be recognized for outstanding work in the field. This year, Steven King, a shift serviceman in the Natchez network, was recognized as Entergy’s all-star lineworker.
Entergy Mississippi team members in every area of the company contributed to the milestones achieved in 2025 and are ready to take on the challenges and opportunities ahead in 2026.
