STERLINGTON, La., December 2, 2025 /3BL/ – Entergy Louisiana officially cut the ribbon on its new Sterlington Solar Facility in Ouachita Parish. This milestone marks the dawn of a cleaner, more sustainable era in a place deeply rooted in Entergy’s history.
Honoring the past, powering the future
The solar facility site sits adjacent to what was once the iconic Sterlington Station, Entergy’s historic generating plant that first came online in November 1925.
In its earliest days, Sterlington Station was described as a “mighty power giant” for good reason: it started with two turbogenerators producing about 25 MW and was rapidly expanded into one of the largest power plants in the South by the late 1920s. The plant’s location was carefully chosen under the leadership of Entergy founder Harvey Couch for its access to abundant natural gas, water from the nearby Ouachita River, and its strategic position in a growing agricultural and industrial region.
Workers built a whole company town nearby: homes for about 50 families, a school, a church, even a boarding house for single employees. Over the decades, Sterlington Station fueled economic growth across northern Louisiana — and now, a century later, Entergy is writing a powerful new chapter by embracing renewable energy.
“To celebrate the ribbon-cutting of this solar facility at the very site where our roots first took place a century ago is profoundly meaningful,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana president CEO. “It’s a testament to how far we’ve come — from the mighty power of Sterlington Station to the clean, sustainable promise of solar power. This is not just an investment in energy, but in Louisiana’s future.”
“The Sterlington Solar Facility stands as a powerful symbol of progress—honoring the legacy of Sterlington Station while embracing a cleaner, more resilient future for Ouachita Parish and all of Louisiana,” said Todd Edsall, president of Power Providers for Black & Veatch. “Our team’s dedication to safety and excellence is reflected in the thousands of incident-free man-hours invested here. This project is more than a source of renewable energy; it’s a catalyst for local jobs, economic opportunity and environmental stewardship. By working together with Entergy and our community partners, we’re helping to build a brighter tomorrow and ensure that Sterlington’s legacy continues to power Louisiana for generations to come.”
A clean-energy investment for the community
The Sterlington Solar Facility was approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission as part of a larger renewable energy build-out: the 49-megawatt solar project is among approximately 225 MW of new facilities greenlit to bolster Entergy Louisiana’s clean energy portfolio.
This development is more than symbolic — it reflects Entergy’s commitment to modernizing its fleet, reducing its carbon footprint and investing in north Louisiana.
“This facility reflects our long-term commitment to modernizing our energy portfolio, reducing emissions, and creating economic opportunity in Ouachita Parish and beyond,” May added. “It’s a legacy honoring the past while shaping the future.”
Economic and environmental benefits
- Job creation and local spending: The project contributes to the local economy during construction and operation.
- Cleaner energy: As a zero-emission solar resource, the facility helps reduce reliance on fossil fuels and supports Entergy’s sustainability commitments.
- Community participation: The Sterlington Solar Facility is part of Entergy Louisiana’s “Geaux Green” (Rider GGO) program, enabling customers to opt into renewable energy and help drive demand for clean power.
- Infrastructure resilience: Investing in diversified energy sources strengthens the grid and supports long-term energy reliability.
A legacy renewed
From its humble beginnings — when Harvey Couch built the Sterlington Station to bring affordable power to a growing region — to today’s solar-powered present, the Sterlington community remains at the heart of Entergy’s mission. This ribbon cutting celebrates continuity, innovation, and a shared vision for a cleaner, brighter tomorrow.
About the Louisiana 100 Plan
The Louisiana 100 Plan is Entergy Louisiana’s bold, decade-long commitment to power progress across the state in honor of a century of service. Entergy has outlined six strategic goals focused on affordability, grid resilience, economic growth, job creation, community investment and volunteerism. Through this plan, Entergy aims to help keep residential electric rates low, strengthen infrastructure to withstand extreme weather, attract new industry and jobs and invest $100 million in Louisiana communities. The Louisiana 100 Plan is a clear roadmap for building a stronger, more resilient Louisiana learn more at EntergyLouisiana.com/100-plan.
About Entergy Louisiana
Entergy Louisiana provides electricity to more than 1.1 million customers in 58 parishes. Entergy Louisiana is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation (NYSE: ETR). Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at EntergyLouisiana.com and connect with @EntergyLA on social media.
Media Inquiries
Phoebe James
Pjames1@entergy.com
504-576-4132
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