Entergy Louisiana began construction on two new combined‑cycle natural‑gas plants in Richland Parish on December 1, 2025, adding 1,500 MW of efficient capacity to the state’s grid. The project is part of a broader 2,260‑MW plan that includes a third plant at the Waterford site in St. Charles Parish, all of which received Louisiana Public Service Commission approval in August 2025.
The new facilities will power Meta’s $10 billion data center in north Louisiana. Meta will fund the full cost of the utility infrastructure needed to interconnect the data center, a move that is projected to lower storm‑charge and resilience‑upgrade costs by about 10%—saving Entergy customers an estimated $650 million over 15 years.
Construction is expected to be completed and the Richland Parish plants operational by late 2028, with the Waterford plant following shortly thereafter. The timing aligns with the projected peak demand from Meta’s hyperscale data center, which will require a continuous, reliable power supply to support AI and digital services in the Gulf South.
Beyond the immediate power supply, the project is expected to create thousands of construction jobs, generate significant tax revenue, and enhance grid resilience. Entergy plans to incorporate future hydrogen co‑firing and carbon‑capture technology, positioning the plants for a lower‑emission future while meeting current demand for natural‑gas power.
The partnership has drawn attention from environmental advocates who question the long‑term reliance on fossil fuels. Entergy and Meta have highlighted the plants’ high efficiency and the company’s commitment to renewable energy and carbon‑capture research, aiming to balance growth with sustainability.
Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana’s president and CEO, said the project “represents the next step in our long‑term strategy to modernize our generation fleet and deliver reliable, cost‑effective power to our customers.” He added that the collaboration “strengthens economic development in Louisiana and supports the region’s emerging data‑center and industrial markets.”
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