Entergy Arkansas Awards Over $355,000 To Central Arkansas Water For Major Energy-Efficiency Improvements

Entergy Arkansas has recognized the ongoing energy-efficiency efforts of Central Arkansas Water by awarding the utility more than $355,000 in incentives through the Entergy Solutions Large Commercial and Industrial program. Central Arkansas Water has been part of this program since 2021, and in that time, it has made steady improvements in how it manages energy across its facilities, resulting in meaningful long-term savings.

Through its participation in the Continuous Energy Improvement initiative, Central Arkansas Water worked closely with Entergy to identify where energy could be saved and how daily operations could be optimized. The program offers technical guidance, tailored coaching, workshops, and opportunities to exchange lessons with other organizations. A major focus is on simple, low-cost actions—such as better equipment operation, training staff to reduce energy waste, and adopting more efficient day-to-day habits—that collectively have a significant impact.

At its downtown Little Rock office, the utility introduced a number of improvements intended to cut unnecessary energy use. These included removing space heaters, repairing malfunctioning occupancy sensors and exterior photocells, and increasing preventive maintenance for HVAC systems. A review of the Building Automation System found issues with sensor accuracy, leading to revised temperature settings during off-hours to reduce waste while maintaining comfort.

Energy savings were also achieved at the utility’s water treatment plants. Historically, production was evenly split between the Ozark and Wilson facilities. However, with analysis from the CEI team, Central Arkansas Water determined that the Ozark plant operated more efficiently. By shifting more production there, the utility has saved more than 10.5 million kilowatt-hours over the past five years—a substantial reduction that contributes directly to lower operating costs and improved environmental performance.

Blake Weindorf, chief operating officer of Central Arkansas Water, noted that Entergy’s CEI team has played a key role in identifying practical and impactful opportunities for improvement. He emphasized that even “small, intentional changes” can generate significant benefits over time, helping to reduce energy consumption, strengthen operational efficiency, and support sustainable infrastructure for the future.

The CEI program—part of the broader Entergy Solutions offering—helps organizations build long-term energy management strategies by encouraging operational awareness and behavioral change. Simple steps, such as switching off equipment during breaks or after hours, are underscored as effective and sustainable habits that contribute to overall savings.

Entergy customer service manager Jarrod Harris highlighted Central Arkansas Water’s commitment to serving its communities and expressed appreciation for the collaboration. He added that Entergy looks forward to supporting future projects as additional opportunities arise. Organizations that participate in the program can qualify for incentives when they complete eligible efficiency projects. At the same time, they improve the reliability and performance of their operations, helping them become more energy-conscious, cost-effective, and sustainable over the long term.