Elected officials joined Entergy Mississippi on Thursday to break ground on the company’s newly announced Delta Blues Advanced Power Station in Greenville.
Delta Blues Advanced Power Station will be a 754-megawatt facility capable of powering 385,000 homes across Entergy Mississippi’s 45-county service area.
The $1.2 billion investment will create more than 300 construction jobs in the Mississippi Delta area over the next several years, which will result in additional tax revenue for Washington County. Entergy plans to employ roughly 21 full-time personnel to operate the plant when it comes to fruition.
“The groundbreaking of the Delta Blues Advanced Power Station is a significant step in our plan to transform our power generation portfolio for the future,” Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly said.
“We’re experiencing historic economic growth in our state. Investing in cleaner, more efficient power generation now will help us keep bills lower for customers than they otherwise would be in the future. Because when we save, so do our customers. Today represents our belief in Mississippi’s bright future.”
When fully operational, the plant will provide the state with a newer, cleaner, and more attractive power source to highlight when recruiting new industries and jobs to Mississippi.
The new facility will feature a combined-cycle combustion turbine and dual-fuel technology. While natural gas is the primary resource, it will be designed to support blended hydrogen to produce reliable energy while significantly reducing carbon emissions.
“This new power plant is a transformative project that will bring economic growth, improved infrastructure, reliable energy, and environmental sustainability to Greenville and the Mississippi Delta,” Greenville Mayor Errick Simmons said.
“Our collaboration with Entergy reflects a strong commitment to uplifting underserved communities and advancing sustainable development through job creation and skills training. This partnership with Entergy showcases Greenville as a forward-thinking city, ready to embrace modern solutions for growth while addressing the needs of its citizens and businesses alike.”
During Thursday’s groundbreaking ceremony, officials also recognized the 50th anniversary of the Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station, which will be retired when the new plant comes online in 2028.
