Entergy Arkansas modernizes energy infrastructure to support statewide growth, reliability, and economic development
Entergy Arkansas is a major electric utility serving hundreds of thousands of residential, commercial, agricultural, and industrial customers across Arkansas. It generates, transmits, and distributes electricity to power homes and businesses, and is part of Entergy Corporation, a Fortune 500 company with headquarters in New Orleans operating across Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
The company manages a diverse portfolio of generation resources, including natural gas, nuclear, and renewable energy, and works to keep energy reliable and affordable while supporting local communities through economic development and energy programs.
Entergy Arkansas has served customers for more than 110 years. With approximately 735,000 electric customers in 63 counties, it employs approximately 2,800 people..
Today, President and CEO, Laura Landreaux, is responsible for driving the company’s financial performance and operational business results, customer service, regulatory and public affairs, resource planning, economic development programs, employee development, regulatory and governmental affairs, and charitable contributions.
Entergy Arkansas’ long-term strategic plan, Next Generation Arkansas, is focused on preparing the state’s electric system for future growth, evolving energy needs, and economic opportunity. The initiative is built around the idea of delivering ‘power that does even more’ by modernizing infrastructure, expanding energy resources, supporting job creation, and keeping electricity affordable for customers.
“Next Generation Arkansas is about preparing our state for what’s ahead,” explains Laura. “By strengthening the grid, adding new generation and modernizing how we deliver power, we’re making the system more reliable and more affordable while also building a system that enables unprecedented growth over the long term. These investments help prevent outages, support new jobs and ensure that Arkansas families and businesses continue to benefit from low, predictable electricity costs as our state grows.”
Supporting growth
A major focus of Next Generation Arkansas is improving the reliability and resilience of the electric grid. The company is investing in stronger infrastructure and advanced technologies designed to reduce outages and help the system better withstand severe weather and other challenges. These improvements are intended to ensure customers can rely on consistent, dependable power when they need it most.
The plan also addresses the growing demand for electricity across the state. As communities expand and industries increase their energy needs, Entergy Arkansas is working to add more generation capacity through a balanced mix of resources. This includes building new, more efficient natural gas facilities, expanding solar generation and battery storage, upgrading existing power plants, and extending nuclear generation. Together, these investments help ensure Arkansas has enough cost-effective power to support growth well into the future.
Economic development is another key element of the plan. By providing abundant, reliable electricity, Entergy Arkansas helps attract new businesses and industries while supporting existing ones. The initiative aligns with statewide economic goals and prioritizes the use of local contractors and workers, contributing directly to job creation and community investment.
Indeed, in January 2026, AVAIO Digital Partners announced a transformative AI-ready data center and power campus near Little Rock, Arkansas, marking one of the most significant economic developments in the state’s history. AVAIO’s multi-phase project includes potential growth to more than one GW of energy demand as the campus expands. Entergy is contracted to deliver 150 MW of grid power by mid-2027, demonstrating the company’s capability to support large-scale technology investments and regional growth.
“We are pleased to welcome AVAIO to central Arkansas and are excited about the benefits their investments and jobs bring to our community,” Laura shares. “This announcement further demonstrates how the polices of our state are working. With the ability to make investments in new and economic resources, Entergy Arkansas can provide the power needed to support the next generation of Arkansas and growth in all our communities. This first phase of AVAIO’s project represents yet another success story of attracting new customers and employers, which in turn will drive down costs for everyone.”
Modernization plan
Similarly, back in 2025, Entergy Arkansas announced it will supply the power for Google’s planned $4 billion technology investment in the state, supporting the company’s first data center in West Memphis focused on cloud and artificial intelligence infrastructure. The announcement, made at a community event with state and local leaders, underscores Entergy’s role in attracting major economic development to Arkansas by providing reliable energy and backing long-term growth.
“We’re proud to be partnering with Google to bring unprecedented economic opportunity to Arkansas,” Laura elaborates. “Google’s investment in its new facility, its $25 million Energy Impact Fund, and its investment in the future of our students demonstrates what lasting impacts a project of this magnitude can have on the community. Entergy Arkansas is committed to powering growth and building a stronger, more vibrant future for the next generation and has found a partner in Google who shares this same vision.”
To deliver affordable, reliable power for today’s customers and future generations, Entergy Arkansas is advancing its generation fleet with a significant modernization plan anchored by the proposed Jefferson Power Station, a 754-megawatt natural gas facility. The company has filed for approval with the Arkansas Public Service Commission to build the plant near Redfield at its White Bluff site, where existing coal generation is slated to cease burning coal by 2028 as part of a broader transformation of the energy hub. Jefferson Power Station, expected to begin operations in 2029, will be capable of powering more than 355,000 homes and bolster grid reliability with dispatchable power when renewable sources are unavailable.
The project will drive economic growth, generating an estimated $2.9 billion in total economic impact and supporting around 3,600 jobs during construction, with substantial local tax contributions. By leveraging advanced, fuel-efficient technology and utilizing existing site assets, the utility anticipates cost savings that benefit customers through lower fuel and transmission expenses. The modernization effort aligns with legislative goals to maintain dependable energy resources while positioning Arkansas for future load growth and development.
By expanding generation capacity, strengthening the grid, and supporting major technology investments, Entergy Arkansas, under Laura’s leadership, is helping the state attract new businesses, create jobs, and prepare for growing electricity demand. With projects like the Jefferson Power Station and innovative renewable initiatives, Entergy Arkansas continues to deliver affordable, dependable power while fostering community growth and ensuring the state is ready for the opportunities of tomorrow.