LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Entergy Arkansas today announced that it will host a vendor fair for companies interested in pursuing contract opportunities related to the Ironwood plant’s construction. The new unit is expected to improve fuel efficiency by up to 40% and support long-term reliability to meet the future energy needs of customers across its service territory. Greater fuel efficiency leads to reduced fuel costs that are passed through to customers on their monthly bills.
Ironwood is planned to replace the existing Lake Catherine Unit 4 facility located in Hot Spring County — a 50-plus-year-old natural gas-fired plant — ensuring continued dependable service while supporting Entergy Arkansas’s generation portfolio transition to modern, fuel-efficient resources. The new site will utilize an approximate 20-acre area of the existing Lake Catherine Power Generation property, allowing the company to build on current infrastructure and help keep costs down for customers. Construction is expected to begin this year, with commercial operation planned for late 2028.
“The Arkansas Public Service Commission’s approval of Ironwood is a major milestone for our customers and for the region’s energy future,” said Laura Landreaux, president and CEO of Entergy Arkansas. “This decision enables us to modernize our generation fleet with a flexible, efficient unit that will help support reliable service and customer value for decades to come. To reach that goal, we’ll prioritize local workers and businesses whenever possible, helping keep more dollars in the communities we serve.”
Vendor fair details
The event supports the company’s “Arkansans building Arkansas” commitment to prioritize local contractors and suppliers whenever feasible:
- Date: March 18
- Time: 9 a.m. – noon
- Location: DoubleTree by Hilton Hot Springs, 4813 Central Avenue
- Registration: Encouraged but not required (advance registration available online)
About Ironwood
Ironwood will be a 446-megawatt simple-cycle natural gas combustion turbine facility with advanced design features. It will replace Lake Catherine Unit 4, which is scheduled to cease operations at the end of 2027, and will be capable of co-firing up to 30% hydrogen with the potential for future conversion to full hydrogen operation to support the company’s emissions-reduction goals. The project is being developed to balance reliability, environmental performance and community benefits. As Arkansas continues to experience record growth from new businesses and families moving in, additional power generation is needed to keep pace. The company plans to replace aging units with modern technology to reliably meet customer demand and maintain a balanced generation portfolio.
Ironwood draws its name from the use of “ironwood,” or lignum vitae, in turbine bearings at nearby Remmel Dam. Known for its exceptional strength and self-lubricating properties, ironwood symbolized durability and reliability — qualities that reflect the purpose of this new generation facility.
Key benefits for customers
The project is reflective of Entergy Arkansas’s four pillars of its Next Generation Arkansas vision: “Better Power,” “More Power,” “Job Power,” and “Affordable Power.”
Better Power – Ironwood is designed as a flexible, modern generation resource capable of rapid starts and load adjustments to meet changing grid conditions. Its deployment will help ensure electricity supply can reliably meet demand, particularly as legacy units are retired and needs evolve. This resource will provide additional power during the summer and winter months, when energy demand is highest, helping meet the needs of all customers.
More Power – Once online, Ironwood will be set to deliver more power to support population growth, business expansion and major economic development opportunities across the state as new industries, data centers and advanced manufacturing facilities look to locate in Arkansas. This investment strengthens the grid today while positioning Arkansas to meet the energy demands of tomorrow.
Job Power – The project is anticipated to create 260 jobs at peak construction and will provide local economic stimulus through wages, local contracting and increased activity for area businesses during construction. Once operational, Ironwood will support long-term employment opportunities and continued community investment through property taxes and local partnerships. During the operational life of the resource, Entergy Arkansas expects to employ at least nine full-time employees to operate the facility.
Affordable Power – By replacing an aging unit with a modern, fuel-efficient facility and planning for future energy transitions, Entergy Arkansas is positioning itself for lower operating costs and reduced emissions. This forward-looking investment, supported by regulatory review, is intended to help manage long-term costs for customers while maintaining service quality.
