News Center > New Iris Solar facility online and serving customers
For Immediate Release
New Iris Solar facility online and serving customers
11/09/2022
Entergy New Orleans customers are now benefitting from a new, clean energy resource to power their homes and businesses with the completion of the Iris Solar facility. Entergy New Orleans began receiving power from the 50-megawatt (MW) site located in Washington Parish, Louisiana under an agreement that commenced on November 1.
“Entergy New Orleans plays a critical role in delivering clean-energy solutions that are essential in lowering greenhouse gas emissions,” said Deanna Rodriguez, Entergy New Orleans president and CEO. “The Iris solar facility is the latest addition of utility-scale solar to our growing renewable and clean energy resource portfolio delivering affordable and clean energy to our customers.”
The solar facility was developed, engineered and constructed by D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) on 492 acres in Washington Parish and comprises approximately 187,000 solar panels. Entergy New Orleans has entered into a 20-year power purchase agreement with the resource for the benefit of all its customers.
“DESRI was thrilled to commission the Iris Solar facility late last month and to deliver this project’s new renewable energy to Entergy’s customers,” said David Zwillinger, CEO of DESRI. “Our team considers Entergy a close partner and we look forward to bringing more solar projects online for them in the next few years.”
The Iris Solar facility is an important addition to Entergy New Orleans’ existing generation fleet. Utility-scale solar projects, such as the New Orleans Solar Station in New Orleans East and the soon-to-be-completed St. James Solar project in St. James Parish, will help reduce carbon emissions and keep New Orleans on the path to a clean energy future.
In addition to renewable resources, Entergy New Orleans’ portfolio includes approximately 420 MW of carbon-free generating capacity from nuclear resources. With the addition of the Iris and St. James solar projects, these carbon-free resources will account for nearly 40% of the company’s generation capacity and will continue to decrease Entergy New Orleans’ carbon emissions, which today are already about 40% below the national average.
About Entergy New Orleans
Entergy New Orleans, LLC is an electric and gas utility that serves Louisiana’s Orleans Parish. The company provides electricity to more than 209,000 customers and natural gas to more than 110,000 customers. Entergy New Orleans, LLC is a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation.
About D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI)
D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI) and its affiliates develop, acquire, own, and operate long-term contracted renewable energy assets in the U.S. DESRI’s portfolio of contracted, operating, and in-construction renewable energy projects currently includes more than 65 solar and wind projects representing more than 6 gigawatts of aggregate capacity. DESRI is a member of the D. E. Shaw group, a global investment and technology development firm with more than $60 billion in investment and committed capital as of September 1, 2022, and offices in North America, Europe, and Asia. For more information, visit www.desri.com.
