It doesn’t seem all that long ago when Entergy had grand plans for nuclear power. But a recent announcement by the utility company shows how much things have changed: It is now all-in on renewable energy, especially solar power.
Entergy’s Mississippi subsidiary announced that it’s making its largest-ever commitment to renewable resources. It will replace aging plants that use natural gas to produce electricity with 1,000 megawatts of energy from renewable sources over the next five years. It is already partnering with the U.S. subsidiary of a Canadian company to construct a 100-megawatt solar facility in Sunflower County.
Although Entergy currently only gets 1% of its energy from renewables, it is projecting that figure will rise to 17% in three years and 33% in five. That would be a huge switch away from the company’s current reliance on natural gas for the majority of its electricity production.
At that rate, Entergy says it would be the fastest-growing renewable energy utility in Mississippi — perhaps not a high measure of green success — and one of the fastest-growing in the country, which is much more impressive.
Equally impressive, and a bit surprising, is the words of support from state leaders, including Gov. Tate Reeves and all three elected members of the Public Service Commission.
Neither the company nor its political advocates are a bunch of tree-huggers. Instead, they’re framing Entergy’s plans as an important economic development tool.
Entergy is calling its plans the EDGE, for Economic Development with Green Energy, and believes it will help the state recruit industries while giving its electricity customers a hedge against rising natural gas prices.
The governor said the company’s plans will help Mississippi become energy independent, and will put the state in a better position to recruit jobs and economic growth.
Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly said renewable power is as important to large companies as a state’s tax and incentive structure, site availability and labor force.
“Adding more renewable energy will put Mississippi communities in a better position for industrial recruitment, while also diversifying our power generation portfolio at a time of rising natural gas prices,” he said.
Critics of renewable energy question its ability to provide consistent electricity, and whether it’s wise to move away rapidly from the fossil fuels that have proven so reliable for decades.
They have a point. Sometimes it’s cloudy, and sometimes the wind doesn’t blow. This puts limits on solar energy and wind power.
Entergy Mississippi’s plans, however, are a clear bet that continuing technological improvements and a wider acceptance of renewable energy will overcome any such barriers. We’ll know who’s right in five years, if and when one-third of the company’s electricity is coming from renewable sources.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.