Utility Scale

Louisiana utility wants to go (really) big on solar

Louisiana utility wants to go (really) big on solar
Entergy Louisiana is purchasing the power generated by Capital Region Solar, a 50-megawatt solar plant constructed in West Baton Rouge Parish, under a 20-year agreement with Helios Infrastructure, a joint venture between Nationwide and Sol Systems. (Courtesy: Entergy Louisiana)

Only a few weeks after Entergy Louisiana asked state regulators to approve 225 MW of new solar—a modest request for some states but one that would nearly double Louisiana's installed capacity—the utility has upped its request by 3 GW.

Entergy Louisiana filed the request with the Louisiana Public Service Commission on March 14 now asking for approval of 3,225 MW of new solar.

Louisiana ranks 38t in the U.S. for solar with 278 MW of installed capacity, according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. If Entergy Louisiana's request is approved, Louisiana would have more than 3,500 MW of solar capacity by the time the projects are completed.

For comparison, New York State ranked 10th in the U.S. with 4,259 MW of installed solar capacity in 2022.

Entergy Louisiana CEO Phillip May said the request "shows we're serious" about protecting the environment and supporting economic development.

“Like never before, our state has an opportunity to retain businesses, support expansion projects and attract new companies on a global scale, but it’s going to take meeting their operational and sustainability needs,” May said.

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Entergy Louisiana said all of the projects that make up the 3 GW ask would be built in Louisiana, meaning local communities and economies would benefit from job creation and additional tax revenues generated during the construction of the facilities.

The utility added that increased solar capacity would help insulate customers from volatile natural gas prices.

Entergy Corporation, Entergy Louisiana's parent company, plans to add 15-17 GW of renewable sources by the end of 2031.