Officials break ground on new power plant in Greenville

By the time construction is completed in 2028, the new power plant will be the first and newest power plant Entergy has built in 50 years. It’s actually in rural Washington County replaced The current Gerald Andrus Power Plant will be built just one mile from the current power plant.

Officials for the company, which supplies power to parts of Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi, say the move from the older plant will bring newer, more reliable energy production to the state.

“We are experiencing historic economic growth in our state,” said Haley Fisackerly, president of the company’s Mississippi office. “If we invest in cleaner, more efficient power generation now, we can keep our customers’ bills lower than they would be in the future. If we save money, our customers will too.”

Entergy says the new 754-megawatt plant will be able to power 385,000 homes in Mississippi. It also represents a move away from antiquated end-of-life gas generation, which can produce high carbon emissions, towards a relatively clean dual-fuel model.

Fisackerly says the new facility will be designed to support blended hydrogen as a fuel source if desired in the future, which can significantly reduce carbon emissions. He says there may also be an opportunity to develop carbon capture technology and infrastructure for transportation out of the state.

Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons says it offers the city an opportunity to look to the future.

“This partnership with Entergy demonstrates that Greeneville is a forward-thinking city ready to leverage modern solutions and technology for growth while meeting all the needs of our residents and businesses.”

According to Entergy, an estimated 300 jobs will be created during the construction phase of the project, with an additional 21 full-time positions added once the project is completed and operational.

But the current Gerald Andrus facility, which began operations in 1975, employs 28 full-time workers, meaning the new facility will actually mean seven job losses when completed.

Still, Carl McGee, president of the Washington County Board of Supervisors, says the investment will prove a boon to the county’s economy.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves agreed with Magee, saying continued investments like the $1.2 billion for the new power plant could lay the foundation for economic development across the state.

“This new facility will ensure we can continue to attract new investment and continue to attract professional opportunities. We will be able to provide the energy needed for the jobs, not of the last 50 years, but of the next 50 years.”