Entergy may break ground on Iberville solar farm by the fall | News
The Louisiana Public Service Commission greenlit plans final week for a nearly-$300 million solar farm that may be owned and operated by Entergy in Iberville Parish.
The web site, named Cypress Harvest Solar, would sit on roughly 1,600 acres of former sugarcane fields about 5 miles southwest of Plaquemine, between Milly Plantation and Derick Road, close to Belleview Drive.
It has the capability to generate 200 megawatts of unpolluted power, sufficient to energy about 30,000 Louisiana houses a 12 months.
That electrical energy can be unfold out throughout Entergy ratepayers statewide, and is a part of the firm’s objective to enhance grid resiliency and diversify into renewable power.
“Solar is one of the largest ways that Entergy is making clean energy accessible in our region,” Entergy consultant Kristin Zatta advised Iberville’s Parish Council throughout a gathering on Tuesday.
The challenge comes on the heels of one other main power infrastructure funding in the space. Magnolia Power Stationa $750 million energy plant in Iberville, got here on-line in February.
“All this is going to allow the region to continue to have investment,” mentioned Parish President Chris Daigle.
If extra allowing, contracting and engineering procedures go based on plan, Entergy says it’s going to break ground on the Cypress Harvest web site in September of 2026, and plans to have it absolutely operational by September 2028. It can be the first and solely solar farm in the parish.
The challenge will price round $297 million, carry 201 jobs at the peak of building, and 4 full-time jobs, based on Entergy. It can be estimated to usher in $7.8 million in gross sales tax income throughout building and $2.9 million in annual property tax income.
Natural gasoline at the moment powers about 73% of Louisiana, based on District 3 Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis. Although the 200 megawatt facility will not precisely transfer the needle for Louisiana’s power portfolio, he mentioned it’s nonetheless a big improve to the grid.
“It’s moving Louisiana forward in its diversification,” he mentioned. “Bringing energy that could help us in times of natural disaster or peak demand.”
Just final 12 months, plans for a 2,000 acre solar farm in White Castle have been nixed after dealing with fierce opposition from native residents over fears the solar panels would undermine property values and tarnish the rural attraction of the group.
Florida-based NextEra Energy was behind the improvement of that challenge, and Entergy was anticipated to signal a 20-year contract to buy energy generated by the farm. Another solar farm in neighboring West Baton Rouge confronted related pushback years earlier.
District 12 Council member Matthew Jewell mentioned the Cypress Harvest Solar challenge is completely different as a result of the web site will not be simply seen from any main roads or communities. Because Entergy would personal and function the solar farm, he is additionally assured representatives will be capable of relay native issues extra simply.
“It’s a better fit for Iberville Parish,” he mentioned. “It’s off the road a bit, and it’s not going to affect the people in that area. We also felt like we could get a hold of Entergy much better than a third-party company.”
Jewell added the land Entergy bought was owned by a pair of ageing households — EJ Gay Planting and A. Wilbert’s Sons — who had farmed the acreage themselves, and didn’t lease to tenants.
“No leases were being terminated, no one was losing their jobs,” Zatta added.
Entergy’s lease from the non-public landowners has phrases for as much as 40 years. There is already a high-voltage substation on the property, and Entergy plans to construct a battery storage system there.
“All Entergy Louisiana customers are going to benefit from this type of generation. It’s not something that can be directly benefited from those residents right there,” Zatta mentioned.
Project Manager David Wilcox mentioned building will principally be funded by contracts with bigger industrial or business prospects, who comply with buy the energy generated in alternate for the potential to say credit score for renewable energy use.
Those contracts theoretically assist defray the price of building being handed onto ratepayers, Wilcox mentioned, although by how a lot it’s unclear. Jewell thinks prospects would possibly see just a few additional cents on their power payments in the close to future.
“If I had to bet my right arm, they are going to add something to that bill,” he mentioned.
Entergy will maintain a public assembly to teach and obtain suggestions from Iberville residents about the challenge on Tuesday, April 28 at the Carl F. Grant Civic Center in Plaquemine from 5 to six:30 pm
