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It all started with sawdust
It all started with a handshake, some sawdust ... and a vision. Over a century ago, Harvey Couch had the idea to bring safe, affordable, reliable power to the Middle South — power that would open the door to the modern world for the people and communities we serve. In 1923, he chartered The Mississippi Power & Light Company, which later became Entergy Mississippi. His vision lives on today: Entergy Mississippi delivers electricity to more than 460,000 utility customers across the state.
Swipe through our history below
1923
1928
1931
1936
1939
1940
1943
1944
1946
1948
1949
1951
1953
1954
1956
1958
1961
1962
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1981
1982
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1989
1991
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2011
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2015
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2020
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2023
1923
Arkansas businessman Harvey Couch and his associates officially charter The Mississippi Power & Light Company, which began operations the following year by taking over utility systems in Columbus, Greenville, Jackson and Vicksburg.
1928
Female employees organize the Jackson Women's Committee.
1931
MP&L employs its first home economist, Viola Philips Smith.
1936
"Happy Homer" becomes a popular symbol for MP&L services.
1939
MP&L wins second place in the utility division safety awards at the National Safety Congress in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
1940
For the first time in its history, MP&L becomes a million-dollar taxpayer.
1943
MP&L is recognized by the National Victory Garden Institute of NYC for contributions to the Victory Garden program during World War II.
1944
MP&L begins working closely with the Mississippi Agricultural and Industrial Board to carry out the goals of the state's "Balance Agriculture with Industry" program.
1946
MP&L begins building its first major generating plant, the Rex Brown Steam Electric Station in Jackson, which becomes the first large source of electricity generation in Mississippi after startup in 1948.
1948
The newly formed Quarter Century Club comprising employees with 25 years of company service holds its first meeting on Oct. 15.
1949
MP&L breaks ground on the Natchez Steam Electric Station, its second major generating plant.
1951
An ice storm in western Mississippi becomes the most destructive in company history, taking crews more than a week to restore service to customers in Jackson and Natchez.
1951
MP&L breaks ground on its third major generating plant, Delta Steam Electric Station in Cleveland.
1953
MP&L launches its pioneer efforts in community development in the town of Moorhead in Sunflower County, later receiving a plaque from the town in recognition of this first.
1956
The state legislature creates the Mississippi Public Service Commission; and on the national level, the Public Utilities Act becomes law, with MP&L receiving a grandfather certificate to operate as a public utility.
1958
MP&L's first "Total Electric" Gold Medallion home award is presented to Walter Ferguson, a Jackson home builder.
1958
MP&L joins 50 utilities nationwide to form a nonprofit to advance atomic power.
1961
MP&L adopts hard hats as essential safety gear for line workers.
1962
A Diversity Interchange Agreement established with TVA provides for the exchange of 1,500 MW in the summer to Middle South Utilities and the same to TVA in the winter months. This act leads to construction of the backbone 500 KV system to facilitate the exchange.
1963
MP&L is the first company in the state to become a Mississippi corporation under a new law. The company was originally incorporated in Maryland.
1964
Groundbreaking ceremonies are held for the first unit of the Baxter Wilson Steam Electric Station in Vicksburg.
1965
Warren Central High School becomes the first total electric school in Mississippi.
1966
Jackson is hit by a deadly tornado on March 3 that destroys MP&L's Southwest Jackson substation, affecting more than 15,500 customers.
1967
The company's Extra High Voltage system is energized to provide for the interchange of power between 11 investor-owned utilities and TVA. It is a pioneer project in power transmission among U.S. electric utilities.
1969
Hurricane Camille slams the Mississippi Gulf Coast, creating additional havoc as it moves through the MP&L service territory.
1971
The company breaks ground on its fifth major generating plant, the 750,000-kilowatt Gerald Andrus Steam Electric Station near Greenville.
1971
During the annual meeting, President Donald Lutken appeals to the audience to "gear up for a new era" of community service and development, with special emphasis on meeting the "environmental demands of our times."
1972
MP&L acquires Capital Electric Power Association, significantly expanding its customer base in the Metro Jackson area.
1974
MP&L receives a full construction permit from the Atomic Energy Commission to build Grand Gulf Nuclear Station in Port Gibson.
1978
MP&L embarks on a major solar energy project in Clinton to test the feasibility of using solar power for small residential space and water heating.
1978
The "Zip Up" campaign promoting energy conservation rates among the top programs competing for a national Edison Award presented annually by the Edison Electric Institute.
1979
The unprecedented "Easter Flood" wreaks havoc in Jackson and other communities along the lower Pearl River, forcing MP&L to take six substations out of service. Only by valiant around-the-clock levee-building efforts are East Jackson and Old Canton Road substations able to stay in service.
1981
MP&L develops the Residential Energy Analysis Program, a computerized program to help customers analyze the cost effectiveness of various conservation measures, types of heating equipment and water heating options.
1981
MP&L buys into its first coal plant, a 25% investment in Independence Steam Electric Station, prompted by the oil embargo of the 70s.
1982
MP&L introduces a new program called "CONCERN" designed in partnership with local communities to help people with special economic needs. Now known as The Power to Care, the program provides emergency bill-payment assistance for low-income elderly and disabled customers.
1982
As the problem of acid rain moves into the limelight, MP&L pledges its continued support of research and cooperates with the U.S. Geological Survey to establish rain collection stations in Mississippi for test purposes.
1986
The company forms a separate entity, System Energy Resources, Inc., to assume all aspects of Grand Gulf Nuclear Station's management and operation.
1989
MP&L's parent company officially changes its name from Middle South Utilities to Entergy Corporation. The name Entergy is a composite of the words "enterprise," "energy" and "synergy," three qualities that describe the company’s new approach to navigating the rapidly evolving marketplace.
1991
MP&L unveils the Teamwork Mississippi initiative aimed at strengthening its commitment to economic development in its region.
1993
A series of filings for MP&L's least cost integrated resource plan reflects a new analysis method to ensure heightened prudency in all aspects of company operations.
1994
An ice storm strikes the Mississippi Delta in February, becoming the most destructive weather event in company history.
1996
Mississippi Power & Light officially becomes Entergy Mississippi.
1999
Carolyn (Shanks) Correro is named president and CEO of Entergy Mississippi, becoming the first female leader of an Entergy operating company.
2000
The Entergy Charitable Foundation is established to focus on low-income initiatives, education and literacy programs.
2001
Entergy becomes the country's first utility to pledge to hold greenhouse gas emissions to year-2000 levels.
2003
Entergy Mississippi plays integral role in bringing Nissan Canton to Mississippi, heralded as one of the largest economic development projects in the state’s 200-year history.
2004
Entergy Mississippi joins state efforts to place a computer in every Mississippi classroom.
2005
Hurricane Katrina devastates the Gulf Coast, leaving 1.1 million Entergy customers without power; followed 26 days later by Hurricane Rita, which impacts 800,000 Entergy customers in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas.
2005
Entergy temporarily moves corporate headquarters from New Orleans, Louisiana, to Jackson, Mississippi.
2006
In a step toward cost-effective fleet modernization and cleaner generation, the company purchases Attala Plant in Sallis, Mississippi.
2007
Entergy Mississippi reinforces its commitment to the future of downtown Jackson with the announcement of "Electric 308," a major renovation of the company’s headquarters at 308 Pearl Street.
2011
A combination of snowmelt and heavy rains causes the Mississippi River to reach levels not seen since the Great Flood of 1927, prompting the company to develop its first large-scale flood response plan to minimize outages and enhance public safety and infrastructure protection.
2012
Grand Gulf Nuclear Station completes a power uprate that boosts its generating capacity 13%, making it the largest single-unit nuclear power plant in the country.
2012
Entergy Mississippi continues its journey toward cost-effective fleet modernization and cleaner generation with the purchase of Hinds Generation Station in Jackson.
2013
Entergy Mississippi joins the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, a regional transmission organization. In the first five years, the move saves customers $207 million, or $500 per customer, due to more efficient dispatching of power plants resulting in lower energy costs.
2015
The company’s First Solar (Bright Future) solar initiative begins with three projects across the state.
2017
The company launches the Excellerator Competitive Communities grant program to help county economic development organizations enhance their appeal to companies looking to expand or locate new facilities.
2018
Entergy Mississippi opens its $20 million Distribution Operations Center in downtown Jackson, marking a major step forward in modernizing the grid and building the utility of the future.
2019
Entergy begins installing advanced meters for 3 million customers throughout its four-state service territory. The new technology allows for faster detection of outages and greater insight into energy usage.
2019
Entergy Mississippi purchases Choctaw Energy Facility in French Camp, Mississippi, as part of its fleet modernization and clean generation plan.
2020
Entergy commits to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 by adding renewable energy resources and storage, investing in its utility-owned nuclear facilities and collaborating with others to advance innovation and adopt emerging technologies.
2020
As the COVID-19 pandemic takes a significant toll on communities and economies across the globe, Entergy’s proactive approach kept employees and facilities safe while ensuring a reliable power supply for customers.
2021
Entergy hosts the grand opening of its new Center of Excellence in Clinton, a high-tech training facility for new line workers from Entergy locations in Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi. The center reflects Entergy’s vision to become the premier utility by investing in workforce safety and professional development.
2021
Entergy Mississippi completes a $31 million service reliability improvement project in Jackson. The new Mill Street substation and supporting infrastructure upgrades support economic growth in Jackson’s medical corridor and in the expanding Fondren area while enhancing grid reliability for the entire metro area.
2021
Hurricane Ida makes landfall Aug. 29 near Port Fourchon, Louisiana, resulting in a peak of 948,000 outages in Louisiana and Mississippi. In response to widespread devastation. Entergy deploys the largest restoration effort in its history—more than 28,000 workers from 41 states.
2021
Entergy Mississippi makes its largest-ever commitment to renewable resources with EDGE, or "Economic Development with Green Energy," a plan to replace some aging natural gas plants with 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy, such as solar, over the next five years.
2022
Entergy Mississippi brings its 100-megawatt Sunflower Solar Station online in Ruleville, Mississippi, producing clean, green energy for customers in addition to economic benefits for Sunflower County and the Mississippi Delta. It is the largest utility-owned solar installation in Mississippi.
2022
Entergy Mississippi launches Operation Bill Assist, a $3.2-million campaign funded by shareholders, to help customers with high bills brought on primarily by high natural gas prices. The effort is one of the most significant customer bill assistance initiatives in the company’s history.
2022
The first high-voltage clean air circuit breaker in Entergy’s four-state service area is installed in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
2023
Entergy Mississippi opens the first company-owned electric vehicle charging station of its kind in Entergy Corporation's four-state service area. Located at Renaissance at Colony Park in Ridgeland, the company’s fast charging station serves both residents and EV drivers passing through on I-55 and nearby I-20. The station also provides data on the impact of electric vehicles on the power grid. Insights on frequency, time of day and location helps the company prepare for improvements that may be needed as power use from electric vehicle drivers increases.
2023
Entergy Mississippi kicks off Kids to College, a new child savings account program in partnership with the Children's Foundation of Mississippi, with a $60,000 donation. The fund helps low- and moderate-income Mississippi families establish 1,200 child savings accounts. Eligible families can sign up for a Kids to College my529 account with the help of our community partners and a $50 match from Entergy.
2023
Entergy Mississippi officially kicks off 100th anniversary with a 100,000 meal packing commitment and donation to Extra Table.
2023
After a line of deadly tornadoes devastates the Mississippi Delta, 300 homes in Rolling Fork were destroyed. Entergy Mississippi crews performed an incredible task of restoring power to all customers who could receive it within a week.
2023
In June 2023, an unprecedented series of severe storms, tornados and unusually high winds caused the largest outage in Entergy Mississippi service area since Hurricane Katrina. The damage was so extensive that the power grid lost half as many poles, wires and transformers in one week as it lost from all storms in 2020, which included four hurricanes and two tropical storms.
2023
Entergy Mississippi contributes to the preservation of the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home as a national monument. The contribution is the first from Entergy’s Social Justice and Equity Fund to be designated in Mississippi.
2023
During a summer of record-breaking temperatures, Entergy shareholders extend Operation Bill Assist with additional $1.5 million commitment to help customers with high energy bills.
