Entergy New Orleans Selects Three Proposals from Renewables RFP

05/16/2017

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Charlotte J. Cavell

Selections include two proposals for projects located in Orleans Parish

NEW ORLEANS – Entergy New Orleans is one step closer to including up to 100 megawatts of renewable energy resources in the company's generation mix.

Acting under the oversight of an independent monitor, the company has selected three proposals from its 2016 request for proposals for a total of approximately 45 MW. Two of these are associated with projects planned to be located in Orleans Parish that Entergy New Orleans would own and operate.

One of the proposals would involve installing rooftop solar panel systems on existing buildings and properties in Orleans Parish, and connecting them to the distribution grid. In support of that proposal, Entergy New Orleans is working with a highly experienced commercial solar company to evaluate viable locations that meet criteria outlined in the RFP. Before the proposals can become formal agreements, however, they must receive all internal and regulatory approvals, including approvals related to cost recovery.

"We're committed to including renewable technologies in our generation portfolio, but it has to be done in a manner that allows us to maintain reliability at a reasonable cost to our customers," said Charles Rice, president and CEO of Entergy New Orleans. “We're confident that the three proposals selected in this round do that and are consistent with our commitment to maintain carbon emissions below year-2000 levels. Entergy was the first U.S. utility to voluntarily commit to stabilize CO2 emissions.”

In February 2016, Entergy New Orleans filed its final integrated resource plan that evaluated different combinations of renewable resource additions and identified the declining trend in the cost of solar in particular. In mid-2016, the company issued an RFP for up to 20 MW of renewable energy resources. Subsequently, in early 2017, Entergy New Orleans made a commitment to pursue up to 100 MW of renewables.

"The approximately 45 MW we've selected will go toward meeting that commitment to pursue up to 100 MW of renewables," added Rice. "We look forward to working with the council and its staff and advisors as we continue the process for the benefit of all New Orleanians."

For more information on the RFP, please visit the RFP website. For more information on the IRP process, please visit entergyneworleans.com.

Entergy New Orleans, Inc. is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana's Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 198,000 customers and natural gas to more than 106,000 customers. Entergy New Orleans is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.

Entergy Corporation is an integrated energy company engaged primarily in electric power production and retail distribution operations. Entergy owns and operates power plants with approximately 30,000 megawatts of electric generating capacity, including nearly 9,000 megawatts of nuclear power. Entergy delivers electricity to 2.9 million utility customers in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. Entergy has annual revenues of approximately $10.8 billion and nearly 13,000 employees.

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