Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E), a subsidiary of Oklahoma City-based OGE Energy Corp. (OGE), recently announced that it will expand its Choctaw Nation/OG&E Solar Energy Center in Durant, Oklahoma by an additional five megawatts, according to a company press release. This brings the total solar capacity to ten megawatts. OG&E will construct, own and operate the additional five megawatt expansion, which is expected to come online by the end of 2021.
“We are proud to continue our collaboration with the Choctaw Nation with this expansion of the Solar Energy Center in Durant,” said Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy Chairman, President and CEO. “OG&E remains an industry leader in reducing its impact on the environment, while at the same time maintaining some of the lowest rates in the nation. With this addition, we continue to advance our popular customer driven renewable energy offerings.”
“The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma welcomes the opportunity to expand our commitment to renewable energy,” said Gary Batton, Chief of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. “We are excited to grow our partnership with OG&E and give back to our Mother Earth by utilizing a safe, reliable energy source that is environmentally friendly and will further reduce our carbon footprint in Southeast Oklahoma.”
OG&E is also currently building a five megawatt solar facility in Branch, Arkansas which should be completed in the second half of 2021. This will be the company’s first universal solar offering to Arkansas customers.
As with wind, OG&E built the first solar facility in Oklahoma and was the first in the state to offer universal solar energy to customers with the construction of its solar installation at the Mustang Energy Center.
Universal solar provides higher solar output and the opportunity for all customers to add solar energy to their personal energy portfolios without the upfront expense or the long-term maintenance costs of rooftop solar. A portion of the Durant solar expansion will be available for all OG&E customers based in Oklahoma.
