Entergy's Power Play: Data Centers Fuel Growth and Grid Transformation

NEW ORLEANS, LA – February 12, 2026 – Entergy Corporation has posted strong financial results for 2025, beating its own projections and setting an ambitious course for 2026. The company's performance is being supercharged by a surge in demand from power-hungry data centers and other industrial customers, prompting a wave of strategic investments in new power plants and transmission lines across its four-state service area.

Entergy reported a full-year 2025 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $3.91, landing in the top half of its guidance range and demonstrating a significant increase from the $3.65 adjusted EPS in 2024. Looking ahead, the company initiated its 2026 adjusted EPS guidance in a range of $4.25 to $4.45, signaling strong confidence in its growth trajectory.

"2025 was another important year in Entergy's transformational growth story as we continued to secure significant electric service agreements with data centers and traditional industrial customers," said Drew Marsh, Entergy Chair and Chief Executive Officer. "We delivered solid financial results, and we continued to show that our customer-first strategy creates significant value for all stakeholders."

Powering the Digital and Industrial Boom

The driving force behind Entergy's optimistic outlook is the rapidly growing demand for electricity from large-scale industrial users. In 2025 alone, the company secured electric service agreements for approximately 3.5 gigawatts of power. Industrial sales grew by a remarkable 7% in 2025, and the utility projects this segment will expand by 15% annually through 2029.

A significant portion of this growth comes from the proliferation of data centers, massive facilities that form the backbone of the digital economy. A key highlight was the approval by the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) of a special rate contract for Google, cementing the region's appeal for major technology players. This trend is not isolated to tech; Entergy also noted development milestones in the steel, petrochemical, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) sectors.

The company's ability to attract these major economic drivers has been consistently recognized. For the 18th consecutive year, Site Selection magazine named Entergy a Top Utility in economic development, a testament to its role in fostering regional prosperity. This strategy not only boosts the company's bottom line but also brings significant investment and job creation to the communities it serves in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

Building the Grid of Tomorrow

To meet this unprecedented demand, Entergy is embarking on one of the most significant infrastructure build-outs in its history, with a capital plan of $43 billion through 2029. The company has already secured critical regulatory approvals for several major projects designed to enhance capacity and reliability.

Key approved projects include:
* Jefferson Power Station: A modern natural gas plant approved by the APSC in Arkansas.
* West Bank 500 kV Transmission Project: A major transmission upgrade in Louisiana approved by the Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC).
* Cypress to Legend 500 kV Transmission Project: A crucial transmission line in Texas approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).

Beyond these approvals, Entergy's pipeline of proposed projects demonstrates the scale of its forward-looking strategy. In Louisiana, the company has submitted applications to acquire the Cottonwood generating facility and to construct several new power plants, including the Westlake and Waterford 6 combined-cycle combustion turbine (CCCT) facilities. These projects are essential for providing the stable, reliable power required by both industrial giants and residential customers.

This aggressive investment in infrastructure is foundational to the company's ability to deliver on its promises to new and existing customers, ensuring the grid can handle the increased load while improving overall system resilience.

A Cleaner, More Resilient Future

Entergy's growth strategy is intertwined with a commitment to modernizing its generation fleet and hardening its infrastructure. The company is pursuing a diversified approach to cleaner energy, balancing the need for reliability with environmental stewardship.

Its investment plan includes a mix of modern, efficient natural gas plants, which serve as a cleaner alternative to older fossil fuel generation, alongside a significant push into renewables. Entergy Louisiana has filed for approval to build the Votaw and Segno solar facilities, expanding its carbon-free energy portfolio. This is complemented by the company's existing nuclear fleet, which provides a substantial amount of zero-emission baseload power.

Simultaneously, the utility is focused on making the grid more resilient to extreme weather and other threats. Entergy New Orleans has submitted an application for the second phase of its resilience and grid hardening plan, a direct response to the increasing frequency of severe weather events in the Gulf South. These efforts, which include strengthening poles and wires and deploying advanced technology, are crucial for minimizing outages and speeding recovery times.

This dual focus on clean energy and resilience reflects a broader industry trend and a core component of Entergy's long-term vision. The company's efforts in corporate citizenship were also recognized with a 2025 Corporate Citizenship Award from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) in the Volunteerism category, highlighting its commitment to the communities it powers. As Entergy builds for a high-growth future, its success will be measured not only by financial returns but also by its ability to deliver reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy.