{"id":330485,"date":"2024-09-12T17:04:08","date_gmt":"2024-09-12T22:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=330485"},"modified":"2024-09-12T17:04:53","modified_gmt":"2024-09-12T22:04:53","slug":"mgm-contracts-for-more-solar-energy-from-new-farm-by-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/mgm-contracts-for-more-solar-energy-from-new-farm-by-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"MGM Contracts for More Solar Energy from New Farm by 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

MGM Resorts announced on Thursday that it has signed an agreement to more than double its access to solar electricity. The agreement is with Escape Solar, a utility-scale energy company building a solar plant 90 miles northeast of the Las Vegas Strip in rural Lincoln County.<\/p>\n

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MGM International’s existing Mega Solar Array project, located 30 miles north of Las Vegas, provides 90% of the energy its Las Vegas hotels need for daytime use. (Image: MGM Resorts)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The first energy from the Escape Solar + Storage project is expected to help power MGM\u2019s needs by 2026.<\/p>\n

According to an MGM press release, the Lincoln County facility — which will be operated by Estuary Power of Reno — will generate enough electricity to power more than 28,000 average homes.<\/p>\n

MGM said it already uses 90% renewable energy for 11 of its Las Vegas resorts\u2019 daytime needs, and that the boost from this new farm will fill in the 10% gap as well as allow it to store some of the energy needed for nighttime use.<\/p>\n

Most casino resorts — we\u2019re looking at you, Luxor \u2013 use more electricity at night due to the increased loads commanded by exterior lights, shows and in-room air conditioning.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis agreement is the next step toward the achievement of our climate goals,\u201d said Bill Hornbuckle, MGM\u2019s CEO and president, in a statement. \u201cAs we continue the journey toward greater sustainability, we remain dedicated to finding new ways to reduce our carbon footprint, conserve resources and inspire others to join in building a more sustainable world for generations to come.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2023, MGM said, it achieved two of its previously stated carbon emissions goals by reducing emissions per square foot by 45% by 2025, and reducing emissions per square foot by 50% by 2030. This has been achieved since 2016 via renewable Las Vegas energy projects including:<\/p>\n