Entergy Texas completed the first fire at its Orange County Advanced Power Station (OCAPS) in Orange, Texas, on April 23 2026. The milestone marks the first ignition of fuel in the 1,215‑MW natural‑gas plant and confirms that turbines, transformers, and control systems are operating as designed.
The OCAPS project is part of a $1.19‑$1.58 billion investment that has escalated to $1.58 billion, with a regulatory cap near $1.8 billion. Designed as a dual‑fuel facility, it can use natural gas and hydrogen, positioning the plant for future decarbonization. The first fire demonstrates the core systems are functional and the project is progressing toward commercial operation.
Entergy’s strategy to expand generation capacity in the Gulf South is supported by OCAPS, which is expected to begin serving customers in late summer 2026. The plant is projected to generate more than $1 billion in customer savings over its lifetime, giving regulators and investors confidence that the project will stay on schedule and within budget.
"It was an honor to take part in this moment, but I know my role was the easiest part. All the credit belongs to the thousands of employees and vendor partners who have dedicated their skill, determination and hundreds of thousands of hours to bring us to this point. Their work and commitment are what made this possible. This project is helping to build stronger communities by supporting economic growth and creating jobs across Southeast Texas," said Entergy Texas CEO Eliecer Viamontes. "This facility is a cornerstone of our strategy to modernize our infrastructure and provide reliable and more sustainable power. Its fuel efficiency will generate more than $1 billion in savings for our customers during its lifetime, making a real difference in the communities we serve," added Jim Malain, Entergy Texas Customer Service Manager. "We're incredibly excited to see this project entering its final stretch. Our team has worked diligently to keep construction on track, and we're proud of the progress being made every day. As we move into the last phase, we're focused on safely delivering a facility that will serve this region for decades," said Keith Pollock, Project Director.
The first fire is a key step toward commercial operation and aligns with Entergy’s decarbonization strategy. The project has created thousands of construction jobs and will provide permanent roles, contributing to regional economic development and supporting the growth of industrial and data‑center customers in Southeast Texas.
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