Entergy Mississippi Breaks Ground on 754-MW Gas-Fired Power Station

Entergy Mississippi on Nov. 7 celebrated the start of construction of a new $1.2 billion, 754-MW natural gas-fired power plant that will serve the utility’s customers across the state.

The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station, scheduled to come online in 2028, is replacing the 50-year-old Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station. The 781-MW Andrus gas-fired facility entered commercial operation in 1975. It had been scheduled for retirement in 2035.

Drew Marsh, CEO of Entergy Corp., at Thursday’s groundbreaking said, “Entergy is honored to serve the Gulf South, which is a premier economic hub driving diverse customer growth. Companies are looking for affordable, reliable and clean power—and today we’re proving that we can meet those needs. The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is leading a new era of power generation in Mississippi, while using better technology to drive sustainability and keep costs as low as possible for our customers.”

Entergy Mississippi is a subsidiary of Entergy Corp. Officials said the new power plant will provide a significant economic impact for the Mississippi Delta, creating more than 300 construction jobs in the area over the next several years along with additional tax revenue for Washington County.

Entergy said the utility will employ some 21 full-time workers to operate the plant when it comes online. The new facility will be equipped with a combined-cycle combustion turbine and dual-fuel technology. It will primarily burn natural gas, but will be designed to support the use of blended hydrogen to reduce carbon emissions.

“The groundbreaking of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is a significant step in our plan to transform our power generation portfolio for the future,” said Haley Fisackerly, president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi. “We’re experiencing historic economic growth in our state. Investing in cleaner, more efficient power generation now will help us keep bills lower for customers than they otherwise would be in the future. Because when we save, so do our customers. Today represents our belief in Mississippi’s bright future.”

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves said, “The Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is a huge win for Greenville, Washington County, and the state of Mississippi. Entergy has been an exceptional partner in growing our state’s economy. This new plant will power 385,000 homes and is a great example of Mississippi’s commitment to bringing reliable, available, and affordable energy to our state’s residents and businesses.”

Entergy Mississippi provides electricity to about 459,000 customers in 45 counties.

Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said, “This new power plant is a transformative project that will bring economic growth, improved infrastructure, reliable energy, and environmental sustainability to Greenville and the Mississippi Delta. Our collaboration with Entergy reflects a strong commitment to uplifting underserved communities and advancing sustainable development through job creation and skills training. This partnership with Entergy showcases Greenville as a forward-thinking city, ready to embrace modern solutions for growth while addressing the needs of its citizens and businesses alike.”

“Today, as we break ground on Entergy’s new Delta Blues Advanced Power Station, we are not just investing in Mississippi’s energy future; we are igniting a transformative opportunity for economic development across the Delta,” said Bennie Thompson, a Democratic congressman who represents Mississippi’s 2nd district in the U.S. House of Representatives. “This project represents a commitment to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions, but also represents a commitment to economic development that will create jobs, stimulate local businesses, and uplift our communities. By prioritizing sustainable energy, we are ensuring that our communities thrive and that the benefits of growth are felt by everyone. Together, we are building a brighter, more prosperous future for the Mississippi Delta and our great state.”

Entergy Corp.-led utilities serve about 3 million customers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas.

—Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER (@POWERmagazine).