Stardust Power and OG&E Partner on Major Oklahoma Lithium Refinery

Powering the Future: Stardust Power and OG&E Infrastructure Agreement Brings Major Lithium Refinery to Oklahoma

The United States is taking a significant step toward securing its clean energy future with a groundbreaking partnership between Stardust Power Inc. and Oklahoma Gas and Electric Company (OG&E). This collaboration centers on building essential electrical infrastructure for what will become one of North America's largest lithium refineries, strategically located in Muskogee, Oklahoma.

The recently finalized agreement establishes the foundation for domestic lithium production capabilities, positioning Oklahoma as a critical player in the critical minerals energy transition and battery manufacturing supply chain.

Understanding the Stardust Power and OG&E Infrastructure Agreement

The landmark agreement between Stardust Power and OG&E focuses on constructing an electric substation at Stardust's proposed lithium refinery site in Muskogee's Southside Industrial Park. This 66-acre site will serve as the foundation for a facility designed to strengthen America's domestic lithium processing capabilities.

Key Elements of the Infrastructure Agreement

The partnership includes several crucial components that demonstrate the project's significant scale:

• Engineering, procurement, and construction costs for the substation covered through Stardust Power's long-term usage commitment
• Initial power capacity of up to 40 MW to support full-scale refinery operations
• Potential upgrades to regional transmission systems to accommodate the facility's substantial energy needs
• High-capacity electrical service preparation tailored specifically for the 66-acre industrial site
• A phased approach transitioning from construction power to full operating power capabilities

Roshan Pujari, CEO of Stardust Power, emphasized the agreement's importance: "Reliable and scalable electrical service is a cornerstone of our refinery's operations. This partnership with OG&E ensures we have the robust infrastructure needed to process lithium at a scale that meaningfully contributes to domestic supply chains."

The substation's design incorporates site-specific engineering to meet the refinery's unique power requirements, with flexibility built in for future expansion as production capacity grows.

Why This Lithium Refinery Project Matters for America's Energy Future

The Stardust Power refinery represents far more than just another industrial development—it's a strategic asset in America's push for energy independence and clean technology leadership.

Strategic Importance for Domestic Supply Chains

This project addresses several critical national priorities:

• Positions Oklahoma as a national hub for energy infrastructure and critical minerals processing

• Strengthens secure domestic supply chains for battery-grade lithium, reducing vulnerability to foreign supply disruptions

• Decreases U.S. dependency on foreign lithium sources, which currently supply approximately 90% of domestic needs

• Supports critical applications including:

  "Battery-grade lithium is the foundation of our clean energy future, powering everything from electric vehicles to grid-scale storage solutions," notes industry analyst Dr. Sarah Thompson.

• Electric vehicle manufacturing across multiple automotive brands

• Energy storage systems critical for renewable energy integration

• Advanced military technologies requiring high-performance batteries

• Power-intensive AI applications and data centers

When compared to existing facilities like Albemarle's Silver Peak refinery in Nevada (currently the only operational lithium production site in the U.S.), the Stardust project represents a significant capacity expansion that could help close the domestic supply gap.

Economic Impact on Oklahoma

The refinery promises substantial economic benefits for the Muskogee region and Oklahoma as a whole:

• Creation of hundreds of high-paying jobs across technical, engineering, and operational roles
• Attraction of additional investment to the region as supporting businesses and services develop
• Enhancement of Oklahoma's leadership position in:
  • Clean energy development and infrastructure
  • Advanced manufacturing and processing
  • Critical minerals extraction and refinement

Chris Celano, Stardust Power's COO, highlights the community benefits: "Beyond the direct employment at our facility, we anticipate this project will catalyze growth throughout the regional supply chain, from specialized equipment suppliers to logistics providers."

How the Electrical Infrastructure Will Support the Refinery

The power requirements for lithium refining are substantial, making the OG&E partnership a crucial enabler for the project's success.

Current and Future Power Capabilities

The electrical infrastructure development follows a strategic phased approach:

• Existing infrastructure already provides construction power for initial site development
• The new substation will deliver:
  • Full operating power (40 MW) for initial refinery operations
  • Capacity for future expansion as production scales up
  • Enhanced reliability features essential for continuous processing operations

This 40 MW capacity aligns with industry standards for mid-sized lithium refineries. For context, Tesla's Nevada Gigafactory uses over 100 MW, illustrating how the Stardust facility's power infrastructure provides a solid foundation with room for growth.

Technical Engineering Considerations

The substation development incorporates several sophisticated engineering elements:

• Site-specific design optimization based on geological and environmental factors
• Procurement specifications tailored to the refinery's anticipated load requirements and growth projections
• Seamless integration with existing regional power infrastructure to minimize disruption
• Scalability features allowing for capacity increases without major redesign

The engineering process follows rigorous standards for industrial-scale power delivery, ensuring both reliability and efficiency for this critical manufacturing process.

Next Development Phases for the Stardust Power Project

With the power infrastructure agreement in place, the project now moves toward final approval and implementation stages.

Path to Final Investment Decision

Several key milestones remain before construction begins in earnest:

1. Completion of remaining preliminary engineering and design work
2. Finalization of additional infrastructure agreements (water, transportation, etc.)
3. Navigating federal and state regulatory approvals and permitting processes
4. Structuring of financial commitments and investment partnerships

Each of these phases requires careful coordination between Stardust Power, government agencies, and financial partners to maintain momentum toward the final investment decision.

Post-Approval Implementation Timeline

Once final approvals are secured, the project will progress through these operational phases:

1. Transition to detailed design phase with specialized engineering teams
2. Construction mobilization and comprehensive site preparation
3. Equipment procurement, delivery, and installation according to process requirements
4. Rigorous commissioning and operational testing before full production begins

According to COO Chris Celano, "The infrastructure agreement with OG&E marks the beginning of an exciting new phase, allowing us to start detailed design and follow-on construction activities once we reach our final investment decision."

Industry precedent suggests similar lithium refinery developments typically require 18-24 months from final investment decision to initial operations, though this timeline can vary based on regulatory processes and equipment availability.

How This Project Fits Into America's Clean Energy Strategy

The Stardust Power and OG&E infrastructure agreement represents a key piece in America's broader clean energy transition strategy.

Contribution to Energy Transition Goals

The project supports multiple national energy priorities:

• Expansion of domestic lithium processing capacity, potentially contributing to a 200% increase in U.S. capacity by 2030
• Support for renewable energy storage infrastructure needed for grid stability
• Reduction of supply chain vulnerabilities that currently threaten clean technology deployment
• Advancement of decarbonization initiatives, including the Biden administration's goal of 50% EV adoption by 2030

The refinery addresses a critical gap in the domestic supply chain—while the U.S. has lithium reserves, it lacks sufficient refining capacity to process raw materials into battery-grade lithium compounds. This forces manufacturers to rely on overseas processors, primarily in China, which currently controls approximately 60% of global lithium processing capacity.

Comparison to Other North American Lithium Projects

When viewed alongside other North American developments, the Stardust Power project stands out in several ways:

• Scale: Among the largest planned lithium refineries in North America
• Production Focus: Specializing in battery-grade lithium hydroxide, the preferred form for high-performance batteries
• Strategic Positioning: Centrally located to serve multiple manufacturing hubs
• Integration Potential: Positioned to connect with both upstream mining operations and downstream battery manufacturing

"What makes this project particularly notable is its central location within the emerging battery belt," explains energy economist Dr. Michael Reynolds. "Unlike coastal refineries that must transport finished products across the country, Muskogee's central position reduces both costs and carbon footprint in the supply chain."

Advantages of the Muskogee Location

The selection of Muskogee, Oklahoma as the refinery site wasn't arbitrary—it offers several strategic advantages that enhance the project's viability.

Logistical and Infrastructure Benefits

Muskogee provides exceptional infrastructural advantages:

• Centralized location within North America reduces transportation costs to EV manufacturers in Texas and throughout the Midwest
• Excellent access to multiple transportation networks, including rail, highway, and waterway options
• Proximity to potential customers and end-users in the growing "battery belt"
• Existing industrial park infrastructure minimizing the need for greenfield development

These logistical benefits translate to both cost savings and reduced environmental impact compared to coastal processing facilities that require cross-country shipping of finished products.

Community and Workforce Advantages

The human capital aspects of the location are equally compelling:

• Available skilled labor pool with relevant industrial experience
• Regional educational and training resources that can develop specialized workforce pipelines
• Strong community support for industrial development and economic diversification
• Potential for creating an industry cluster as supporting businesses establish operations nearby

"Muskogee offers an ideal combination of infrastructure readiness and community support," notes Chris Celano. "The skilled workforce available in the region provides a strong foundation for our specialized operations."

FAQ About the Stardust Power Lithium Refinery

What type of lithium products will the refinery produce?

The facility will focus on producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide, the preferred form for high-performance batteries used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. This specialized material must meet rigorous purity standards (99.5%+ purity) to function properly in modern battery chemistries.

What is the significance of a 40 MW power capacity?

This substantial power capacity reflects the energy-intensive nature of lithium refining processes. For context, 40 MW could power approximately 32,000 average American homes. In industrial terms, this capacity aligns with mid-tier refining operations while providing headroom for future expansion. Modern lithium refineries use significant electricity for electrochemical processes, heating, cooling systems, and advanced purification technologies.

How does this project benefit Oklahoma specifically?

Beyond creating hundreds of direct jobs, the project positions Oklahoma at the forefront of the energy transition:

• Diversification of the state's economy beyond traditional oil and gas
• Development of specialized technical expertise in critical minerals processing
• Attraction of related businesses in the battery supply chain ecosystem
• Enhancement of Oklahoma's tax base through industrial development
• Strengthening of the state's position as an energy leader in multiple domains

What environmental considerations are being addressed?

Modern lithium refineries incorporate numerous environmental protection measures:

• Advanced water management systems that minimize consumption through recycling and treatment
• Emissions control technologies to reduce air quality impacts
• Energy efficiency measures to minimize carbon footprint
• Waste management protocols to ensure proper handling of processing byproducts

While specific environmental technologies for the Stardust facility weren't detailed in the announcement, the company will need to meet or exceed federal and state environmental standards for industrial operations.

Disclaimer: This article contains forward-looking statements about the Stardust Power lithium refinery project. Actual project timelines, capacities, and economic impacts may vary based on regulatory processes, market conditions, and other factors. This information should not be construed as investment advice.

The Road Ahead for Domestic Lithium Production

The Stardust Power and OG&E infrastructure agreement represents a significant milestone in establishing a robust domestic lithium supply chain. As the project progresses toward its final investment decision and construction phases, it stands to create hundreds of jobs while strengthening America's position in the global clean energy economy.

By addressing the critical gap in domestic lithium processing capability, this Oklahoma-based facility will help reduce dependence on foreign suppliers while supporting the growth of electric vehicle manufacturing, renewable energy storage, and advanced technology applications throughout North America.

The central location, robust infrastructure, and strategic partnerships behind this project position it as a potential cornerstone in America's clean energy future—transforming Oklahoma from an oil and gas hub into a leader in the materials that will power the next generation of lithium industry innovations and spodumene extraction insights. Furthermore, the project represents a significant step toward electrification in mining and processing operations across the United States.

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