Arkansas Utility Invests $1.6B in New Natural Gas Power Plant

In November 2025, Entergy Arkansas announced plans to invest $1.6 billion in the construction of a new 754-megawatt natural gas power plant near Redfield. The facility, named the Jefferson Power Station, is expected to begin operations in 2029 and will be situated at the company's existing White Bluff site in Jefferson County.

Entergy Arkansas states that this project will help address the increasing electricity demand across the state and maintain customer rates below the national average. The construction activities are projected to generate an estimated $2.9 billion in total economic impact and support more than 3,600 jobs throughout the project's development. Additionally, the build-out is expected to contribute $128 million in local, county, and sales taxes, with funds allocated to schools, transportation infrastructure, and other public services.

Once completed, the Jefferson Power Station will employ roughly 22 full-time staff members. The plant is being designed with combined cycle combustion turbine technology, capable of powering over 355,000 homes. Entergy Arkansas highlights that the new facility will feature technology approximately 40% more efficient than older generation units, which should lower fuel and operating costs for customers.