LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas is transforming its generation fleet to bring the most cost efficient, state-of-the-art gas generation to power customers today and future generations of Arkansas, filing for approval of a new energy-efficient natural gas power plant named Jefferson Power Station. This new resource supports the goals of recently passed legislation aimed at maintaining adequate supplies of reliable, dispatchable energy resources to ensure affordable and dependable power for Arkansas and to promote economic development and growth.

Jefferson Power Station (JPS) is a 754-megawatt combined cycle combustion turbine facility with the capability to power more than 355,000 homes and will be located on the same site as the company’s White Bluff facility in Jefferson County. This is part of a larger plan to transform the existing White Bluff facility, which will cease burning coal in 2028. JPS is scheduled to begin operations in 2029 and is designed to support the reliability of the electric grid while meeting the evolving energy needs of Arkansas communities and businesses. Entergy Arkansas is also studying the feasibility of extending the lives of the existing units by burning gas instead of coal and transforming that site into an energy center.

Key Benefits for customers:

Improved reliability: As a thermal resource, JPS will make a significant contribution to Entergy Arkansas’s ability to generate adequate dispatchable power that mitigates customers’ exposure to market risk. Additionally, adding large dispatchable generation like JPS helps Arkansas have an adequate, affordable, reliable, secure and resilient electric generation and transmission system to accommodate future load growth. JPS is necessary to continue providing reliable service to existing customers and serves as an essential foundation of Entergy Arkansas’s generating resource portfolio.

Economic benefit: The proposed 24/7 dispatchable power generation resource is estimated to generate $2.9 billion in direct, indirect and induced economic benefits for Arkansas during the construction phase – supporting schools, roads, parks and other vital services that enhance quality of life and help keep the state a great place to live, work and raise a family.

The economic analysis estimates approximately 3,600 jobs and $128 million in local, county and sales tax contributions during the construction phase.

Cost savings measures for customers:

Leverage existing assets: The decision to use existing assets at the White Bluff facility will save customers hundreds of millions of dollars in transmission-related costs.

Reduce finance costs: This year, new bipartisan legislation was passed allowing utilities to have the ability to raise the capital needed to build new natural gas plants. Collecting the finance fees during construction of the new facility, as opposed to the traditional approach of recovering those costs over the life of the facility, will save customers tens of millions of dollars long-term by reducing interest costs and minimizing future rate increases.

More fuel efficiency: The new gas plant will save customers money by using advanced fuel-efficient technology that reduces fuel consumption and lowers overall operating costs.

The Arkansas Public Service Commission will consider approval of this critical power plant in the coming months.

About Entergy Arkansas

Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 735,000 customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation. Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. 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.

Media inquiries:
Matt Ramsey
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501-607-1479