To enhance the reliability of its transmission system and help grow its customer base, Entergy Gulf States Louisiana says it will spend an estimated $187 million in the Lake Charles area to build one of the largest single transmission projects in the company’s history.
The project, announced by the company this morning, includes new construction of two substations, the expansion of a third, existing substation at Entergy’s Lake Charles facility, and the addition of 25 miles of high-voltage transmission lines.
Entergy Gulf States Louisiana CEO Phillip May says in a news release the project will “help ensure we have highly reliable and affordable electricity” for existing Entergy customers, as well as the new customers expected in the region due to the pending industrial boom in the region.
“Nearly 500 megawatts of new load have already signed up for facilities in the Lake Charles area and the potential exists for another 500 megawatts that are in various stages of exploration by new or existing customers in that part of the state,” May says in the release.
Entergy says its already submitted the project plans to the Louisiana Public Service Commission for approval, adding its board of directors signed off on them last month.
If and when final approval is granted, Entergy says it plans to begin construction on the project next year and complete it sometime in 2018.
The investment is a part of approximately $2 billion Entergy plans to spend across the four states it serves over the next three years to increase transmission reliability and economic development. Entergy’s Louisiana utility companies provide electric service to more than one million customers in the state, as well as natural gas service to nearly 93,000 customers in the greater Baton Rouge area. Entergy has more details on today’s announcement.
