Entergy Louisiana provides additional details on latest PPAs with DESRI and Opdenergy projects

Entergy Louisiana plans to add 475 MW of new solar power to its portfolio through in-state projects to be developed by DE Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and Opdenergy, according to a press release.

DESRI will develop its 150 MWac Vacherie Solar Energy Center in St. James Parish and its 50 MWac Sunlight Road Solar facility in Washington Parish under 20-year power purchase agreements (PPAs) with Entergy Louisiana. Opdenergy will build its 125 MWac Elizabeth Solar Project in Allen Parish to supply power to Entergy Louisiana under a 20-year PPA as well.

Additionally, DESRI will construct its 150 MWac Jacques Louisiana Solar Plant, also planned in St. James Parish, via a build-transfer agreement that will provide Entergy Louisiana with ownership of the project once it is completed.

Entergy is the sole offtaker of the four projects.

The DESRI projects, a total of 350 MW, come out of Entergy Louisiana’s 2020 RFP, in which the utility sought 300 MW, Jonathan Bourg, Entergy’s director of resource planning & market operations, said in an interview with NPM. The deal for Opdenergy’s Elizabeth project was an unsolicited offer brought to Entergy this year.

The company released another RFP this year, seeking 600 MW, and is currently evaluating responses.

The 475 MW announced this week join a solar portfolio of just 55 MW, including a PPA for the 50 MW Capital Region Solar plant in West Baton Rouge. But more solar is on the way.

“And we anticipate that those two (RFPs) will be the first of a continuing round of RFPs likely on an annual basis,” Bourg said. “Potentially … we see (RFPs) being of a similar size or bigger in the future.”

Pending approval from the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the solar facilities are expected to begin delivering power to customers in 2024, the release added.

“As we look at our current portfolio of resources, (we have a larger than) 10 GW system at Entergy Louisiana,” Bourg said. “So, we are rapidly seeking to increase our renewable portfolio … Both in reducing costs for our customers and meeting our goals and our customers’ shared goals over reducing emissions, solar resources are the best option for our portfolio right now.”

DE Shaw and Opdenergy did not return calls seeking comment.*

*This story was originally published exclusively for NPM subscribers earlier this month