LITTLE ROCK, Ark., April 28, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- The Arkansas
Public Service Commission has approved a new utility-scale solar
project that will provide Entergy Arkansas customers with 100
megawatts of solar power and 10 megawatts of battery storage for
when the sun isn't shining.
The Searcy Solar project in White
County will be the largest utility-owned solar project in
the state and the first to feature battery storage.
When completed in 2021, it will be the third project generating
solar energy for Entergy Arkansas' customers, bringing the total of
solar energy to 281 megawatts covering more than 2,000 acres –
enough to power about 45,000 homes. The Stuttgart Solar Energy
Center has been producing 81 megawatts of solar energy since 2018,
and Chicot Solar, under construction near Lake Village, will provide 100 megawatts of
solar power when it comes online later this year.
"Entergy Arkansas is proud to be leading the charge in expanding
solar power in our state, and we are committed to meeting our
customers' energy needs reliably, affordably and safely as we have
done for over 100 years," said Laura
Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas.
"Large-scale solar facilities provide the most cost-effective solar
power for all customers, keeping rates low while delivering the
best value for renewables in Arkansas."
"This large solar facility will be a very effective economic
development tool as we work to attract new employers and retain our
existing businesses. Many corporations have renewable energy and
sustainability objectives," said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Mike Preston. "This facility, combined with
Entergy's other large solar facilities in Arkansas, will help us strengthen and grow the
state's economy."
The Searcy Solar project will be built on approximately 800
acres east of Eastline Road (US 67, Exit 44) in Searcy and will include a 10-megawatt array of
lithium-ion batteries capable of storing up to 30 MW hours of
electricity, which is expected to be charged and discharged daily
to maximize the value of the solar energy for the benefit of
customers.
"This is welcome news for the area," said Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy. "This large solar project provides a
much-needed economic benefit to Searcy and White
County. It will provide construction-related jobs and a
long-term, low-cost renewable resource."
The Searcy Solar facility will bring 200 temporary construction
jobs and two or three permanent jobs, along with periodic
maintenance workers. It also will provide about $700,000 in annual property taxes as well as
environmental benefits through emissions-free energy.
"I'm excited to have this large solar facility constructed in
Searcy. This will enhance our
local economy and tax base," said Rep. Les
Eaves, R-Searcy. "I
appreciate Entergy leadership in renewable energy and economic
development."
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 700,000
customers in 63 counties. Entergy Arkansas is a subsidiary of
Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR), an integrated energy company
engaged primarily in electric power production and retail
distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants
with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating
capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power.
Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in
Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of
$11 billion and approximately 13,600
employees.
entergyarkansas.com
Twitter:
@EntergyARK
Facebook.com/EntergyARK
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SOURCE Entergy Corporation