Entergy New Orleans, Inc., a subsidiary of Entergy Corp. (NYSE: ETR), on Jan. 24 received permission from the New Orleans City Council Utility Committee to purchase 20 percent of the electricity produced by a proposed natural gas-fired generating unit at the Ninemile Point power plant. The combined-cycle gas turbine unit will use modern pollution controls and CCGT technology and is expected to cost approximately $721 million to construct.

The issue will now go to the agenda to be voted on at the Feb. 2 City Council meeting.

The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is reviewing plans for the natural gas-fired unit, which would be known as Ninemile 6 and owned by Entergy Louisiana LLC. If approved by the LPSC, construction would begin later this year with an expected operation date set for mid-2015.

Entergy said Ninemile 6 could produce fuel savings for Entergy customers in Louisiana ranging from $26 million to $53 million per year.

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