Entergy Louisiana Breaks Ground in Richland Parish for Two Gas-Fired Power Plants

Approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Entergy Louisiana will now begin constructing two combined-cycle combustion turbine (CCCT) facilities in Richland Parish, collectively dubbed the Franklin Farms Power Station. Both power plants will generate approximately 1,500 MW of highly efficient natural gas-fired capacity, leveraging turbine technology that burns less fuel to produce more power, lowers emissions, and improves system reliability.

The next-generation CCCT infrastructure will enable Entergy Louisiana to satisfy increasing energy demands, provide operational flexibility to integrate renewables, and ensure customers retain access to low-cost, dependable grid service. With the groundbreaking ceremony complete, construction will begin right away in Richland Parish—both projects are scheduled to be completed and operational by late 2028.

“These facilities represent the next step in Entergy Louisiana’s long-term strategy to modernize our generation fleet and deliver reliable, cost-effective power to our customers,” said Phillip May, Entergy Louisiana President and CEO. “By investing in efficient technologies and robust infrastructure, we’re ensuring that Louisiana remains a competitive and attractive place to live, work, and do business both today and well into the future. I also want to thank our partners from local and state governments, the Franklin family, and our communities for coming together to ensure the success of this project.”

The Franklin Farms Power Station will drive Meta’s new data center in northern Louisiana, which is expected to generate over 5,000 construction jobs and 500 operational jobs once completed. These generation facilities will also provide long-term economic opportunities for Louisiana while ensuring Entergy’s customers retain access to reliable, resilient, and sustainable power. Both plants fall under an expedited interconnection study process to allow the state to meet the required speed to market.

Louisiana LNG

In April 2025, Woodside Energy submitted the final investment decision to develop its $17.5 billion Louisiana LNG facility, with first LNG scheduled for 2029. The facility will initially feature three LNG liquefaction trains with 16.5 MTPA total capacity, allowing Woodside Energy to deliver approximately 24 MTPA across its global LNG portfolio by the 2030s. Louisiana LNG’s full project scope includes the facility itself, a pipeline, and LNG management reserve.

In the future, Louisiana LNG may be expanded with two additional LNG liquefaction trains, bringing the total permitted capacity to 27.6 MTPA. Despite approving the project, Woodside Energy’s reduction targets for greenhouse gas emissions remain unchanged.

Calcasieu Pass LNG

Also in April, Venture Global placed its Calcasieu Pass LNG export facility into commercial operation, allowing long-term customers to offtake low-cost LNG just 68 months after reaching final investment decision. The facility, among the fastest greenfield LNG projects completed to date, holds numerous multi-billion-dollar contracts with key European trade allies. These customers will receive North American LNG for 20-year terms.

The LNG export project is equipped with multiple medium-scale modular liquefaction trains and process facilities, which were supplied and installed in sequential order. Venture Global’s construction strategy allowed Calcasieu Pass to surpass significant challenges, such as the global coronavirus pandemic, two hurricanes, and an unforeseen manufacturing issue related to the facility’s power island.