MALVERN, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas today broke ground on the Ironwood Power Station, marking a major milestone in the company’s efforts to strengthen the state’s energy infrastructure and meet growing demand across all sectors with reliable, affordable and flexible generation.
Located on 20 acres of existing infrastructure at the Lake Catherine site, Ironwood will be a 446-megawatt simple-cycle natural gas combustion turbine facility featuring advanced design technologies. The plant is expected to provide up to 40% better fuel efficiency, helping reduce fuel costs for customers while providing flexible generation to support Arkansas’s growing energy needs.
“Ironwood represents the next chapter of a remarkable legacy of innovation in this region and across Arkansas,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “From Harvey Couch’s early vision for generating electricity to the enduring legacy of Remmel Dam and Lake Catherine, we have a history of building for the future. Ironwood carries that spirit forward by investing in reliable, efficient and resilient energy for Arkansas and the communities we serve.”
The project’s name reflects the history of the region. Ironwood was historically used in turbine bearings at nearby Remmel Dam, which was constructed in 1924 and remains in operation more than 100 years later. Known for its strength, density and longevity, ironwood symbolizes the reliability and resilience Entergy Arkansas intends for the new facility.
Ironwood also will support Arkansas workers and businesses. The project is expected to create approximately 260 construction jobs at peak, with a commitment to prioritizing local contractors. The investment reflects Entergy Arkansas’s “Arkansas Building Arkansas” approach to supporting the state’s people, communities and economy.
The new facility also will help prepare Arkansas for continued growth and changing energy needs. Ironwood is a key component of Entergy Arkansas’s broader Next Generation Arkansas initiative, that focuses on modernizing the electric grid, expanding fuel-efficient generation and maintaining reliability and affordability.
Ironwood will take up the mantle of Lake Catherine Unit 4, which has served Arkansas customers for more than 50 years and is scheduled for retirement at the end of 2027. The new facility will build on the site’s longstanding role in providing dependable electricity to Arkansas families and businesses.
“Today’s groundbreaking is more than the start of construction,” Landreaux said. “It is a renewal of our commitment to keep investing in the people and places that make Arkansas strong and to deliver safe, reliable and affordable energy to the people we serve.”
The project continues a more than 113-year legacy of innovation in the region, from early sawdust-fueled generation to hydroelectric power and long-serving generating units at Lake Catherine. Ironwood represents the next generation of that legacy—rooted in Arkansas’ history while preparing the state for its future, Landreaux said.
About Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 738,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy generates, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for more than 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re focused on keeping costs for our customers as low as possible while providing reliable energy that our communities count on. We’re also investing in growth for the future with a more resilient, cleaner energy system that includes modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy generation. As a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyArkansas.com and connect with @EntergyARK on social media.
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Lamor Williams
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