Wichita Tribes Launch Solar Casino Project in Oklahoma

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, headquartered in Anadarko, Oklahoma, are poised to make a significant leap toward renewable energy, thanks to a grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The tribe is among six Native American nations selected for DOE funding aimed at advancing clean energy projects. With this financial boost, the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes plan to install solar panels to power two key facilities in their community—the Sugar Creek Casino and the Sugar Creek Inn and Suites.

The DOE is providing close to $3.8 million for the initiative, and the tribe will contribute approximately 25% of that amount to cover the total project costs. Vanessa Vance, Treasurer of the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, expressed optimism about the timeline for the project, stating that the tribe hopes to have the solar panels installed by summer 2025, though weather conditions in Oklahoma could affect the schedule.

“We’d definitely like to have this constructed and in place by next summer,” said Vance. “Of course, it's going to depend on the weather and all those other factors that we face in Oklahoma.”

The solar panels will be mounted on rooftops and atop covered parking areas, supplying enough energy to fully power the Sugar Creek Inn and Suites. While the system won’t cover the entirety of the casino’s power needs, it will generate about 20% of the facility's electricity. According to Vance, over the system’s estimated 25-year lifespan, it will save the tribe roughly $9 million in energy costs.

The environmental benefits of the project are equally significant. The DOE estimates that the initiative will reduce the tribe’s carbon footprint by more than 33,000 tons annually. For a community that currently relies entirely on conventional energy, this transition marks a major step toward sustainability.

“Right now, we have no green energy,” Vance said. “We're hoping that this will lead to other alternative energy initiatives for the rest of our operations.”

The project also brings economic benefits to the area, creating around seven temporary jobs during construction and three permanent positions for maintenance and operations. Additionally, the tribe plans to establish a utility authority to regulate and manage the solar energy system and any future renewable energy projects.

 

“We're hoping that this will lead to other alternative energy initiatives for the rest of our operations.

 

The Future

The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes share their jurisdiction with the Delaware Nation and the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma, and Vance emphasized that the project’s benefits would extend to these neighboring communities. “Not only is this a good project going to benefit us, it's going to also benefit our sister tribes and their community as we look to bring alternative energy into our area,” she said.

As the tribe prepares to meet with developers to kick off the installation process, the solar initiative reflects a broader push by Native American nations to embrace renewable energy and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. For the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes, this project is a starting point for more comprehensive clean energy strategies that could reshape their energy landscape for decades to come.