US utility Entergy is planning to replace some ageing natural gas plants in the state of Mississippi with 1GW of renewable energy over the next five years.
The plan was outlined in the company’s Economic Development with Green Energy (Edge) strategy, which would add 500MW by 2025 and another 500MW by 2027.
This would increase renewable power as a percentage of the company’s total power generation portfolio from less than 1% to 17% in three years and almost one-third in five years.
Natural gas currently makes up the majority of the company’s power generation portfolio, Entergy said.
The company will start issuing requests for proposals for multiple renewable projects in early 2022.
It would then take the finalised plans to the Mississippi Public Service Commission for review and potential approval later in the year.
Entergy Mississippi president and chief executive Haley Fisackerly said: “The Edge plan will provide major benefits to the customers and communities we serve.
“Having significant 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.
“Along with the nuclear power provided by Grand Gulf, this would give our customers diverse, sustainable, reliable, clean and affordable power for years to come.”
Entergy Mississippi is already in the process of replacing some of the energy produced by recently-retired natural gas plants with renewable energy.
The company’s partner, Recurrent Energy, broke ground in August on a 100MW solar facility in Sunflower County that will power approximately 16,000 homes when it goes in service next year.