The Louisiana Public Service Commission backed the state’s largest-ever expansion of renewable power Wednesday, highlighting the shifting electricity mix in a region dominated by natural gas.
The commission approved a plan from Entergy Louisiana to add up to 3,000 megawatts of solar generation to the grid by 2031. If fully executed, the plan would boost non-hydroelectric renewables’ share of electricity generation in Louisiana by 10 times within a decade, increasing it to between 20 percent and 30 percent from 3 percent today.
As part of the plan, the LPSC authorized a streamlined procurement and approval process to accelerate solar projects.
“This approval underscores our commitment to meeting operational and sustainability needs, driving economic development, and protecting the environment. … it’s a significant win for the future of our state,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO, in a press release.
