Entergy Secures Approval to Support Meta's Data Center Expansion

Entergy Corp (ETR) has secured regulatory approval to build three combined-cycle combustion turbine generation facilities in Louisiana to support Meta's massive data center. The facilities will have a total capacity of 2.26 GW and improve system reliability. The approval also grants Entergy the green light to acquire up to 1.5 GW of solar resources. ETR is an integrated energy company that operates power plants with a capacity of approximately 24,000 megawatts.

Entergy Corp (ETR) has received regulatory approval to build three combined-cycle combustion turbine generation facilities in Louisiana to support Meta's massive data center. The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) granted the approval, which will allow Entergy to construct the facilities and acquire up to 1.5 GW of solar resources [1].

The three new facilities will have a total capacity of 2.26 GW and are expected to enhance the state's electric grid reliability. This approval is a significant milestone for Entergy, an integrated energy company that serves approximately 3 million customers across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas [2]. The company operates power plants with a capacity of approximately 24,000 megawatts, utilizing a mix of natural gas, nuclear, and renewable sources.

The approval comes as Meta Platforms is investing in a $10 billion data center in Richland Parish, Louisiana. The data center, set to be completed by 2028, will be one of the largest economic development projects in the state's history. The facilities built by Entergy will help power this data center, which is expected to play a key role in advancing Meta's artificial intelligence technology [3].

The approval by the LPSC ensures that Meta will pay its share of costs while shielding ratepayers from major impacts. The settlement also includes protective conditions to reduce risks of cost-shifting and secures support from various groups. Entergy officials have stated that these investments will help power one of the most advanced data centers in the world and reinforce the grid, creating economic opportunity and supporting a more sustainable energy future across Louisiana [1].

This development is significant for both Entergy and Louisiana. Entergy's ability to secure this approval demonstrates its capability to support large-scale infrastructure projects, while for Louisiana, it represents a major step towards becoming a national hub for artificial intelligence and data centers.

References:
[1] https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/entergy-corp-etr-secures-approval-042000981.html
[2] https://www.1012industryreport.com/energy/entergy-wins-approval-to-power-metas-planned-10b-data-center/
[3] https://www.businessreport.com/article/trump-says-meta-data-center-will-make-louisiana-a-national-hub-for-ai