Recently, Entergy Texas received approval from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to construct two new natural gas power plants. This decision represents a huge investment in the reliability, resilience and efficiency of the region’s energy infrastructure. Legend power station in Port Arthur is the largest in the state, with a capacity of 754 megawatts (MW). This project shows the potential pitfalls of such an enormous $1.6 billion investment. Soon to be the Lone Star power station, it’s being built around the small town of Cleveland. At a capacity of 453 MW, this project will be the largest investment at $799 million. Both facilities are poised to help meet the ever-increasing energy demands of Southeast Texas as the region keeps booming at a historic pace.
Power Legend power station is designed to have the capacity to power more than 190,000 homes. At the same time, the Lone Star power station would have enough capacity to power over 110,000 homes. Together, these two power stations will create nearly $2.74 billion in economic investment across the region. This increase will take place over the course of their construction. Entergy Texas, for example, projected that the Legend facility will create approximately $1.79 billion in economic activity. In stark contrast, the Lone Star facility is expected to generate about $951 million.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
Built with the help of OGI, the construction of the Legend and Lone Star power stations will bring thousands of new quality jobs to the area. As Entergy Texas moves forward on these projects, they plan to create thousands of local jobs during construction. This investment is meant to address those short-term energy needs. It generates a powerfully positive ripple effect throughout Southeast Texas which helps the entire region.
Their local communities have a lot to gain from the wave of economic activity that comes with these developments. From hotels to local business and services, the growth will benefit everyone with the expected $2.74 billion economic impact. This increase will greatly strengthen the region’s economy.
Supporting Regional Growth
Entergy Texas serves nearly 524,000 residential and commercial customers over an area of 27 counties in southeast Texas. The company is committed to being able to serve the growing energy needs of its service territory. That’s one reason why they’re building dozens of new coal and nuclear power plants.
Eliecer Viamontes, Entergy Texas’ External Affairs Representative, underscored the significance of these new generation resources to area communities.
“We’ve heard directly from our customers and communities about the need for more power to support our rapidly growing region, and these facilities will deliver just that. From families and business owners to schools and essential services, these power plants strengthen our ability to serve our customers who count on us every day. It’s also a reflection of the extraordinary expansion in our service area and our continued commitment to meeting that growth head-on.” – Eliecer Viamontes
Future Outlook
Both power stations are projected to enter service in mid-2028. Together, once they’re up and running, they’ll contribute more than 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of new energy capacity to the Southeast Texas power grid. As a bipartisan coalition has noted, this expansion is indeed vital. It will allow Entergy Texas to better serve the growing demand for new homes and businesses in one of the nation’s fastest growing areas.