OG&E launches new generation project at Horseshoe Lake

Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company (OG&E) broke ground on two new power generation units on Wednesday at its Horseshoe Lake Power Plant in Harrah, Oklahoma. During the groundbreaking, OG&E leaders, local officials, and Horseshoe Lake staff and retirees also celebrated the plant's 100th year of providing power to central Oklahoma.

"When Horseshoe Lake opened, electricity was a luxury for many. A hundred years later, our lives have been electrified and connected by a resilient energy grid and Horseshoe Lake has stood the test of time," said Sean Trauschke, OGE Energy Corp. Chairman, President and CEO. "Today, we broke ground on two new units that will continue the century of service and the plant's legacy of providing reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy to power our customers' homes and businesses."

The Horseshoe Lake plant has faithfully served generations of Oklahomans over the past 100 years and provided reliable energy to power communities served by OG&E. The two new units will now deliver increased reliability, improved efficiency and operational flexibility, and lower emission rates, all at the lowest reasonable cost for OG&E customers.

"As the communities that OG&E serves continue to grow and thrive, it's important to invest in technology that will increase generation capacity as we consider the current and future needs of our customers," said Shawn Gribble, Horseshoe Lake Power Plant Director. "The new units at Horseshoe Lake help communities in our service area benefit from reliable, resilient power now and for years to come."

The units bring more than power generation. The $536 million total economic impact from the project will create jobs and boost local economies.

"The Horseshoe Lake Power Plant project is projected to have a significant economic impact through OG&E's direct investment and the investment in labor and supplies," said Alba Weaver, OG&E Director of Community Affairs and Economic Development. "Construction will support hundreds of jobs in the region and generate $12.7 million in state taxes and at least $2.7 million in local taxes. Projects like this demonstrate our commitment to strengthening our energy grid and powering growth in our communities."

The new natural gas units, designed to safely burn hydrogen when it becomes a readily available fuel source, will replace two 60-year-old units at the plant and provide approximately 450 megawatts of generation capacity. The units are equipped to reduce emissions compared to the units they will replace, increase capacity and have the capability to supply power at peak times.

The new generation units were unanimously approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission in 2023 to support OG&E's growing service area. The new units are anticipated to begin providing power to customers by late 2026.