Representatives of the Entergy Corporation are working with state and Montgomery County officials to construct a new $937 million power plant northwest of Conroe starting in 2019.
Entergy representative Andrew Schonert said the proposed natural gas-fired plant would be built near Entergy’s existing plant near the Lewis Creek Reservoir west of Willis and near Lake Conroe. Schonert said the new plant was proposed due to the projected growth of the county and surrounding area.
The new plant would help serve a variety of counties located to the north and east of Houston, including Montgomery County.
“We’re planning for the future and for the next 10 to 20 years,” Schonert said. “We looked at the future of service and saw a lot of growth. We looked at meeting the need and this is the most cost-effective way; there are very few cons.”
Schonert said the plant proposed to the Public Utility Commission of Texas is a natural gas combined-cycle plant, which is a reliable technology. A combined-cycle power plant uses both gas and steam turbines together to produce up to 50 percent more electricity than a simple-cycle plant.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the number of plants constructed nationwide increased 19 percent in 2015 because of low natural gas prices and coal power plant retirements. The number of new plants is expected to keep rising in the U.S.
If approved by state officials, construction would begin on the plant in 2019 and be completed in 2021. Entergy is also working with local stakeholders to discuss construction issues and terms.
“We need a long-term power supply,” Schonert said. “It’s a really efficient and reliable technology, and a huge benefit to the local economy. It was either build this plant or keep relying on the local energy market. This is also going to create about 2,800 jobs.”
Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal said the new plant is a smart move on Entergy’s part, and is needed due to the inevitable growth of the county and Greater Houston area.
“I think [the plant] is a great move for preparing for the growth that is coming,” Doyal said. “There is a tremendous need. It is also great on the economic side. It’s also just the hope of the county that [Entergy] chooses a transmission line or route that does not detract from the safety and beauty of Lake Conroe. But I am certainly in support [of the project].”
Schonert said Entergy is currently looking at the electric grid system and should have transmission routes and lines planned out by the end of next year.
