Major Energy Investments Bring Jobs and Growth to Louisiana

Louisiana continues to strengthen its role as a leader in energy and industrial development as two major projects totaling nearly $5 billion in investment have recently been announced for the state.

Shintech Louisiana, LLC revealed plans for a $3.4 billion expansion of its manufacturing operations in Iberville Parish. The project will include construction of a second ethylene unit along with a fourth chlor-alkali and vinyl chloride monomer production unit at the company’s existing facility in Plaquemine.

Construction will occur in phases, with the first phase expected to be completed by 2030.

The expansion is expected to create 163 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $117,329, which is about 42 percent higher than the average wage in Iberville Parish. The company will also retain 725 existing positions. Louisiana Economic Development estimates the project could generate an additional 655 indirect jobs, bringing the total potential job impact to more than 800 jobs across the Capital Region.

Governor Jeff Landry said the investment reflects continued confidence in Louisiana’s industrial strength.

“Shintech’s decision to make a $3.4 billion reinvestment after 25 years in our state speaks volumes,” Landry said. “This expansion strengthens one of the world’s leading process industry hubs and reinforces Louisiana’s role as a global industrial powerhouse.”

Shintech began operations in Louisiana in 2000 and has completed seven major projects in the state totaling about $9 billion in investment. Company officials say the new expansion will incorporate advanced technologies designed to reduce environmental emissions during production of PVC and related products.

At the same time, another major energy investment is planned for southeast Louisiana. Southern Energy Renewables announced it will invest $1.4 billion to build a green methanol and sustainable aviation fuel production facility in St. Charles Parish.

The project will convert regional wood-waste biomass into lower-carbon transportation fuels used in aviation and other industries. Officials say the facility will be among the first of its kind at a commercial scale.

The development is expected to create 120 direct jobs with an average salary of $97,267. Louisiana Economic Development estimates an additional 394 indirect jobs could be created, bringing the total potential impact to 514 jobs in the region.

Southern Energy Renewables CEO Jay Patel said Louisiana’s energy infrastructure and workforce made the state a natural choice for the project.

“With support from state and local partners, our roadmap is built to deliver fuels at an industrial scale while creating new jobs, expanding the local economy and strengthening America’s energy leadership,” Patel said.

Pre-construction planning for the St. Charles Parish facility is already underway. Construction is expected to begin in late 2027, with commercial operations anticipated in 2029.

State officials say the two projects together highlight Louisiana’s continued leadership in both traditional manufacturing and emerging energy technologies while bringing new jobs, construction activity and economic development to multiple regions of the state.