news release > entergy arkansas announces completion of reliability upgrades for harrisburg residents

entergy arkansas announces completion of reliability upgrades for harrisburg residents

12/19/2024

harrisburg, ark. – entergy arkansas has announced completion of significant reliability upgrades in the harrisburg community aimed at modernizing aging infrastructure, increasing resilience and reducing the risk of power interruptions. the year-long project, which includes more than two miles of new distribution lines and enhancing substation equipment, is expected to bring improved stability to the area, providing farmers and residents with the reliable power needed to operate essential irrigation systems during the hot summer months.

these upgrades represent a proactive investment in the community's future, helping farmers, residents and local businesses thrive with expanded electrical stability. in total, entergy arkansas has invested more than $12 million in new upgrades and has rebuilt more than a mile of existing distribution lines allowing the company to support increased load demands and provide consistent power delivery, even during high-demand periods.

the upgrades include a new larger 40 megavolt-amperes (mva) transformer to help create a stronger network. installing a larger transformer allows for a greater capacity to deliver electrical power, meaning it can supply more electricity to a building or area without experiencing voltage drops or overloading the existing system. additional feeders were also added to help with switching power to other circuits in case an outage does occur.

"supporting our local agricultural community is a priority for us," said whitney rial, customer service manager for entergy arkansas. "by strengthening our system, we’re making sure residents have dependable electricity, particularly during the irrigation season. our upgrades will minimize power disruptions, which can be costly to our customers and have a significant impact on crop productivity."

with the growing need to maintain reliability as energy demand increases, entergy arkansas is making key strategic investments across the state. creating a stronger power grid is crucial for the growing electrical demands in the harrisburg area, where agriculture serves as one of the major focuses of the local economy. local farmers have expressed relief and appreciation for the commitment entergy arkansas has made in addressing these infrastructure needs, recognizing the importance of uninterrupted electricity in maintaining successful and sustainable agricultural practices.

“we are grateful to the city of harrisburg, other utilities in the area, residents, businesses and farmers for their patience as we have spent the year working together to build a stronger network and stronger community,” said rial.

residents in the area should begin seeing the benefits immediately as a result of these new upgrades providing reliable, efficient and innovative energy solutions. the project is expected to have long-term benefits for the harrisburg community, developing stability for years to come.

about entergy arkansas

entergy arkansas, llc provides electricity to approximately 730,000 customers in 63 counties. entergy arkansas is a subsidiary of 沙特vs墨西哥让球, a fortune 500 electric company. entergy powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in arkansas, louisiana, mississippi and texas. we’re investing in the reliability and resilience of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. with roots in our communities for more than 100 years, entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. entergy is headquartered in new orleans, louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. for the latest news from entergy arkansas, visit the newsroom and connect with @entergyark on social media.