LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Calcasieu Parish’s planning and zoning board has approved a new solar farm along Highway 27, near Lionel Derouen and Fruge roads, in an 8-1 vote.
The project will convert more than 1,000 acres of unused land into a solar facility. It is a joint effort between Lake Charles-based Sweet Lake Land and Oil and Canadian developer Southern Prairie Solar LLC.
Once operational, the farm’s transmission lines will feed into the Jeff Davis Electric Co-op power grid, serving local businesses and residents.
Margaret McKenna, vice president of Southern Prairie Solar, said the project will benefit the region’s energy infrastructure.
“It’s going to make the system more reliable, resilient and economically efficient,” McKenna said. “It will lower the locational marginal price of electricity for the area.”
Planning and zoning board member Jake Porche said the site was well-suited for the development.
“We’ve had a few of these come before us and just looking at it from a bird’s eye view, it appears to be a much better location and proper land use for such a development,” Porche said.
Supporters from cities across the parish spoke in favor of the project. A representative from the Vessel Project Louisiana urged the board to prioritize clean energy.
“Once again, the evidence is clear that it is long past time to not only build clean energy sources, but to prioritize them over petrochemical facilities that are polluting our community and our environment,” the supporter said.
One local resident spoke in opposition, citing concerns about flooding and road safety.
“We should not be prioritizing out-of-state industrial profits over the lives of our drivers, the safety of our families, and the protection of our homes,” the resident said. “Please deny the zoning change and protect the people who actually live here.”
In response, applicants said they plan to implement a stormwater prevention plan to reduce sediment erosion and install natural grasses to limit environmental harm.
Developers expect construction to begin in 2027 and last up to 18 months.
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