Wichita and Affiliated Tribes to Transition to Solar Power with DOE Grant

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes have shared their plans to switch to solar energy. They are making this move with the help of a $3.8 million grant from the US Department of Energy (DOE). 

Solar Project to Save $9M and Power Sugar Creek Casino and Hotel by 2025

This project has an impact on cutting energy costs for the Sugar Creek Casino and Sugar Creek Inn and Suites. The tribe owns and runs both of these places in Anadarko, Oklahoma.

Workers will put solar panels on top of the casino, hotel, and covered parking spots. The whole system should be up and running by summer 2025, if the weather conditions are suitable, reported local news outlet KOSU. Once it is done, the solar setup is expected to save the tribe about $9 million over 25 years giving a big push to its efforts to use energy better.

Vanessa Vance, who is Wichita and Affiliated Tribes Treasurer, said the solar panels would make enough power to run the whole hotel and cover about 20% of what the casino needs. Right now, the tribe does not use any green energy, but they hope this project will lead to more clean energy use in all their work.

Besides cutting costs, the solar project looks set to help the environment. The DOE thinks the tribe will shrink its carbon footprint by more than 33,000 tons each year by using solar power. This fits with the tribe’s bigger plan to use more eco-friendly energy in their work down the road.

Solar Energy Project to Bring Jobs and Economic Growth for Wichita Tribe and Neighboring Communities

The project will also boost the economy by creating jobs. It will make seven short-term jobs and three long-term ones. On top of that, the tribe plans to set up a utility authority to manage the solar power system and any future green energy projects.

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes stand among six tribal nations to get this clean energy grant from the DOE. They have promised to pitch in about a quarter of the total funds needed for the project. By teaming up with developers and contractors, the tribe aims to mix up its energy sources and cut down on its need for old-school power grids.

Vance further pointed out that this project will help not just the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, but also nearby communities. This includes the Delaware Nation and the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma, who share control of the area with them. The tribe hopes this move will open doors for more green energy projects in the region giving a boost to both the economy and the environment.