Entergy Texas Commissions 1,215 MW Gas-Fired Combined-Cycle Power Plant

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On October 14, U.S. utility Entergy Texas announced that the Orange County Advanced Power Station near Bridge City, Texas, has officially entered commercial operation, adding 1,215 MW of gas-fired combined-cycle generating capacity, enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 230,000 homes.

The project received construction approval from the state Public Utility Commission in November 2022 and began construction in early 2023. By November 2025, construction was more than 80% complete and overall completion stood at about 90%, after which the project entered the final phase of testing and commissioning preparation. Entergy Texas expects that, with lower fuel consumption and operating costs, the plant will save customers more than $1 billion over its long-term operation.

The plant uses a 2×2×1 combined-cycle configuration consisting of two gas turbines, two heat recovery steam generators and one steam turbine, equipped with two Mitsubishi Power M501JAC enhanced air-cooled gas turbines, as well as a steam turbine, Nooter Eriksen heat recovery steam generators and an advanced control system.

The project's engineering, procurement and construction services are provided by a consortium comprising Sargent & Lundy, TIC – The Industrial Company and Mitsubishi Power Americas. Sargent & Lundy serves as the engineer of record and, together with TIC, is responsible for commissioning management. To adapt to local storm surge risk, the project raised the site grade by about 8 feet. Entergy Texas expects regional electricity demand to grow by about 13% between 2024 and 2028, and the plant is designed to adjust output quickly in response to load changes; the engineering contractor expects fuel cost savings of more than $100 million in its first year of operation.

Early project proposals included a 30% hydrogen blending design and future upgrades for pure hydrogen operation, but the 2022 regulatory approval excluded hydrogen blending-related investment, and there is insufficient evidence to confirm the specific hydrogen blending capability of the commissioned units.