OG&E, the electric utility subsidiary of OGE Energy Corp., announced that it has completed construction of two 5-MW solar energy farms in southeast Oklahoma. Both centers are operating at full capacity.

In February, the company announced it would build the two solar energy centers, one in Davis, Oklahoma, and one in Durant, Oklahoma, to help meet the renewable energy needs of the Chickasaw Nation and the Choctaw Nation respectively.

Both tribes have purchased approximately 50% of each energy center’s solar output through OG&E’s solar tariff. The remaining solar capacity was made available to all customers. With the new solar farms now energized, approximately 4,600 customers are subscribed to OG&E Solar Power.

“We are grateful for our relationships with the Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Nation and for their collaboration in bringing the benefits of solar energy to our Oklahoma communities,” said Sean Trauschke, president and CEO of OGE Energy Corp. “All of the output of these two farms is now fully subscribed. We look forward to adding additional projects as customer demand grows.”

Leaders from both the Choctaw and Chickasaw Nations echoed Trauschke’s comments.

“When I look at these new solar farms, I see the future. The Choctaw Nation has thousands of years of experience living off the land in a sustainable way, and, to us, this is a natural and welcome development. By living more sustainably, we can be good stewards of the environment and still live comfortably,” said Gary Batton, Chief of the Choctaw Nation.

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said that this partnership with OG&E reflects a shared commitment to responsible stewardship of our natural resources.

“This innovative renewable energy project is a significant early step in our efforts to help support a more sustainable energy infrastructure,” Anoatubby said. “It is important we continue working together to manage our resources wisely to help ensure both a thriving natural environment and a strong economy for generations to come.”

Chickasaw Nation Solar Farm and Choctaw Nation Solar Farm Facts

• OG&E owns and operates the Chickasaw Nation Solar Farm and the Choctaw Nation Solar Farm.
• Each solar farm is located on about 35 acres of land and contains 15,344 solar panels.
• The solar farms each produce 5 MW of solar energy – enough to power 1,785 homes.
• The solar panels use single-axis tracking, allowing them to pivot about 60° from east to west.

News item from OG&E