Entergy Arkansas says an expanded partnership with Google involving the company’s massive West Memphis data center campus is expected to deliver at least $500 million in additional savings to electric customers, bringing total projected customer benefits to more than $2.1 billion over 20 years.
The agreement could benefit approximately 738,000 Entergy Arkansas customers across 63 counties, including communities throughout Central and North Central Arkansas served by the utility.
The expansion, announced October 19, 2026, involves new investments in electricity generation, battery storage, transmission lines, and other infrastructure needed to support Google’s expanding operations in West Memphis.
According to Entergy Arkansas, Google will pay the full cost of the additional power resources needed for its expanded data center operations.
The utility says the arrangement will strengthen Arkansas’ electric grid without imposing the cost of the new expansion resources on existing customers.
The additional $500 million in projected Entergy Arkansas customer savings from the Google agreement is expected to begin in 2028 and extend over 20 years, pending regulatory approval.
$2.1 Billion in Total Projected Customer Benefits
Entergy Arkansas says the expanded agreement builds on its previously announced Fair Share Plus pledge.
The first phase of Google’s West Memphis investment was projected to deliver approximately $1.6 billion in customer benefits.
The newly announced expansion is expected to provide at least $500 million more.
Together, the 2 phases represent more than $2.1 billion in projected net benefits for Entergy Arkansas customers.
The utility says the arrangement will help offset fixed electricity system costs that otherwise would be shared among existing customers.
Entergy Arkansas President and CEO Laura Landreaux said the agreement is designed to ensure Google pays for its electricity needs while contributing additional revenue toward the costs of operating the state’s existing power grid.
The company says these benefits should help keep electricity bills lower than they otherwise would have been without Google’s investment.
What Does This Mean for Your Entergy Electric Bill?
The announcement could have long-term financial implications for residential and business customers throughout Entergy Arkansas’ service territory.
Entergy says the Google agreement is designed to provide 3 major benefits:
- Google pays for its own electricity needs — The technology company will pay the full cost of the additional power resources needed to support its expanded West Memphis operations.
- Existing customers share fewer fixed costs — Google’s payments will help cover costs associated with the broader Entergy Arkansas electric system, reducing the amount other customers would otherwise be responsible for paying.
- New electricity infrastructure — Additional solar power, battery storage, and transmission improvements are expected to strengthen the power system serving Entergy Arkansas customers.
Entergy says the expanded project will not cause a project-related increase in existing customers’ electricity bills.
Important: The projected $500 million in additional savings does not mean individual customers will automatically receive rebate checks or see an immediate reduction in their monthly bills.
Instead, Entergy says the agreement will reduce costs compared with what customers would otherwise have paid over the coming years.
The savings estimates are projections and remain subject to the applicable regulatory review and final implementation.
Google to Fund Approximately $600 Million in Grid Investments
The expanded West Memphis project will require approximately $600 million in planned infrastructure investments, along with a separate solar power purchase agreement.
Entergy Arkansas says Google will cover these additional costs under the new agreement.
The investments include major projects in Mississippi County, the Hot Springs area, and West Memphis.
These improvements are designed to meet the increased electricity demands associated with Google’s data center while adding resources that will also serve the broader electric grid.
1,000 Megawatt-Hour Battery Project Near Osceola
One of the largest components of the expansion is a planned 1,000 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system at the Driver Solar facility near Osceola in Mississippi County.
The project is expected to enter service in 2028, pending regulatory approval.
Battery storage systems can store electricity when it is available and release it when needed.
These systems help utilities respond to changes in electricity demand and improve the flexibility of the power grid.
The Driver battery project represents a substantial addition to Arkansas’ planned energy storage capacity.
400 Megawatt-Hour Battery Project Near Hot Springs
Another major investment involves a planned 400 megawatt-hour battery energy storage system in the Jones Mill area near Hot Springs.
The project is also expected to enter service in 2028, pending approval.
The battery facility will provide additional energy storage capacity and support grid operations during periods when electricity demand changes.
Together, the Driver and Jones Mill projects would provide 1,400 megawatt-hours of new battery storage capacity.
440 Megawatts of Additional Solar Power in Mississippi County
The expanded agreement also includes a 440-megawatt solar power purchase agreement involving the Big Island solar facility under construction in Mississippi County.
The agreement will allow Entergy Arkansas to purchase electricity generated by the solar project.
Entergy says the arrangement was added following guidance from the Arkansas Public Service Commission during the initial regulatory review.
The Big Island facility represents another investment in electricity generation in Northeast Arkansas.
West Memphis Substation and Transmission Upgrades
The agreement also includes major electrical infrastructure improvements in the West Memphis area.
Projects include:
- Expansion of the Galet electrical substation near West Memphis.
- Construction of 2 new 230-kilovolt transmission lines.
- Additional transmission infrastructure needed to serve Google’s expanded data center campus.
The improvements are intended to support increased demand while providing additional capacity and reliability for the broader electric system.
The transmission projects are an important part of connecting the new power resources to Google’s expanded operations.
More Than 1,000 Megawatts of Solar Power and 2,800 Megawatt-Hours of Battery Storage
Entergy Arkansas says the newly announced projects, combined with the Arkansas Cypress Solar and Battery facility under construction in Jefferson County, will add more than 1,000 megawatts of solar generation capacity and 2,800 megawatt-hours of dispatchable battery storage.
The Arkansas Cypress project is a separate development already moving forward in Jefferson County.
Together, the resources are expected to increase the amount of solar electricity available to the Entergy Arkansas system while adding significant battery storage capacity.
The projects are designed to support industrial growth, improve grid flexibility, and provide additional electricity resources for residential and business customers.
Google’s Steel River Solar Project Also Moving Forward
In addition to the Entergy Arkansas investments, Google is supporting the Steel River Solar project in Northeast Arkansas.
The project is being developed through an arrangement involving Google and Cypress Creek Energy.
Steel River is separate from the new Entergy Arkansas resources announced in the expanded agreement.
The development is expected to add additional electricity generation and battery storage capacity to the regional power grid.
Cypress Creek Energy CEO Kevin Smith said the project will help meet growing electricity demand associated with Arkansas’ industrial economy.
The company says the development is using American-made solar panels and structural steel, including materials sourced in Arkansas.
The project is intended to support electricity demand associated with manufacturing facilities, data centers, and other major employers across the region.
$25 Million Google Energy Impact Fund Benefiting West Memphis Area
Google’s presence in West Memphis is also bringing additional community investments.
The company has established a $25 million Energy Impact Fund supporting energy affordability and workforce education initiatives.
The program focuses on helping residents and supporting opportunities in West Memphis and Crittenden County.
In July 2026, Google also announced $5 million in energy affordability initiatives associated with its Steel River project.
Those efforts are intended to assist Arkansas residents and K-12 schools.
Community investments are separate from the utility agreement’s projected $2.1 billion in customer benefits.
Google Expansion Supports West Memphis Economic Development
West Memphis Mayor Marco McClendon welcomed Google’s additional investment in the city.
He said the company’s growing presence is creating opportunities involving employment, education, infrastructure, and community development.
The expanded project reinforces West Memphis’ position as a growing destination for large-scale technology investment.
Google’s data center campus represents a major development in Crittenden County, where the company is expanding its infrastructure to support technology operations.
Google Global Head of Energy and Power Amanda Peterson Corio said the company’s investment in new solar power, battery storage, and transmission capacity is intended to support grid reliability while providing economic and community benefits.
Google Working Toward 100% Carbon-Free Energy by 2030
The additional solar generation and battery storage projects also support Google’s long-term energy goals.
The technology company has established a goal of operating on carbon-free energy around the clock by 2030.
Large data centers require substantial electricity resources to operate servers, cooling equipment, and supporting infrastructure.
The expansion of solar generation, electricity storage, and transmission capacity is designed to help support Google’s growing operations while serving the regional electric grid.
Arkansas Public Service Commission Approval Required
The expanded agreement remains subject to review by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
Entergy Arkansas filed for approval of an amendment to its existing special rate contract in October 2026.
Regulators will review the proposed contract provisions, costs, customer protections, and other details.
The Arkansas Attorney General and other participants in the regulatory process will also have access to the agreement’s provisions.
According to Entergy’s latest federal financial filing, a regulatory hearing is scheduled for January 2027.
The new resources associated with the expansion will not be charged through the Generating Arkansas Jobs Act Rider.
Entergy Arkansas says Google will pay for the additional resources through its new contract.
If approved, the expansion is expected to enter service in 2028.
Entergy Arkansas Serves 738,000 Customers in 63 Counties
Entergy Arkansas provides electricity to approximately 738,000 customers across 63 Arkansas counties.
The utility serves homes, businesses, schools, healthcare facilities, and industrial customers throughout its service territory.
Customers in communities throughout Central and North Central Arkansas could benefit from the agreement if they receive electric service from Entergy Arkansas.
The company’s projected savings apply to its customer base, not automatically to customers of other electric utilities or cooperatives in the state.
The expanded Google agreement is intended to help Entergy Arkansas manage the financial impact of adding major industrial electricity demand while protecting existing customers from the costs of serving the new data center expansion.
What Happens Next?
The next major step will be review of the expanded agreement by the Arkansas Public Service Commission.
A hearing is scheduled for January 2027, with the planned battery storage and associated infrastructure projects expected to begin operating in 2028 if approved.
Entergy Arkansas says the additional agreement will deliver at least $500 million in projected customer savings over 20 years, supplementing the $1.6 billion in previously announced benefits.
The utility maintains that the expanded partnership will allow Arkansas to pursue major economic development projects while helping existing electric customers avoid additional system costs.
For More Information
Entergy Arkansas
Entergy Arkansas Fair Share Plus
Google West Memphis Energy Project
Original Entergy Arkansas news release
Source: Entergy Arkansas October 19, 2026, news release; Entergy Corporation 2026 third-quarter financial filing; Arkansas Public Service Commission regulatory information
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