Entergy Texas proposes major transmission investments to power Southeast Texas growth

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- With Texas leading the nation in population growth, the demand for reliable electricity has never been higher. As new families and businesses move into Southeast Texas, Entergy Texas is proposing two major transmission projects to help ensure the region has the infrastructure it needs to grow—and to keep the lights on during everyday use and extreme weather.

The company recently filed two proposals with the Public Utility Commission of Texas: the Southeast Texas Area Reliability Project, more commonly known as SETEX, and the Cypress to Legend 500-kilovolt Transmission Line Project. These transmission lines will improve how electricity moves across Southeast Texas—boosting capacity for new homes and businesses, reducing the risk of outages, and supporting job creation and investment in the region. They’ll also enhance grid resiliency by adding geographic diversity—helping the system better withstand extreme weather—and ensure compliance with federal reliability standards set by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation.

If approved, the SETEX project would add a new 500-kV transmission line to the western portion of Entergy Texas’ 27-county service area, connecting new substations in Newton and Montgomery counties and spanning up to 160 miles. The Cypress to Legend line would span up to 49 miles between Hardin and Jefferson counties. While there are multiple routes and route segments under consideration, the final route for each project will be determined by the PUCT as part of the regulatory review process.

“As the communities we serve continue to grow, we have a responsibility to grow with them,” said Eliecer Viamontes, CEO of Entergy Texas. “These investments are about preparing Southeast Texas for what’s next—more families, more businesses, more opportunities. Our goal is to build a resilient grid that customers can count on and a stronger foundation for the region’s future.”

Entergy Texas operates within the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, a regional transmission organization that oversees energy planning across 15 U.S. states and Manitoba, Canada. Both the SETEX and Cypress to Legend projects were identified through MISO’s long-range planning process as critical to ensuring reliable and cost-effective service as demand continues to grow. If approved by the PUCT, Cypress to Legend is expected to be in service by 2028, and SETEX is expected to follow in 2029.

These projects are key components of Entergy Texas’ Southeast Texas Energy Plan, also known as STEP Ahead. STEP Ahead is a long-term strategy to power economic growth, strengthen reliability and support vibrant communities across the region. The comprehensive plan includes investments in resiliency, generation, transmission, and distribution to serve one of the fastest-growing areas of the country. Entergy Texas’ continued focus on smart, cost-effective planning has helped keep electricity rates affordable for customers—remaining below the national and state average for more than a decade.

Learn more about how Entergy Texas is staying a STEP Ahead of the region’s growing energy needs at www.entergytexasstepahead.com.