MGM Agrees to Expand Solar Energy Source from New Farm by 2026

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Published on: September 12, 2024, 05:04h.

Last edited on: September 12, 2024, 05:04h.

MGM Resorts revealed on Thursday that it has inked a deal to significantly increase its utilization of solar energy. The deal is with Escape Solar, an energy company constructing a solar facility 90 miles northeast of the Las Vegas Strip in rural Lincoln County.

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)

The initial power from the Escape Solar + Storage project is anticipated to support MGM’s energy requirements by 2026.

As per a press release from MGM, the Lincoln County facility – managed by Estuary Power from Reno – will produce sufficient electricity to power over 28,000 average households.

MGM mentioned that it already uses 90% renewable energy to meet the daytime needs of 11 of its Las Vegas resorts, and the additional output from this new facility will cover the remaining 10% gap and allow for energy storage for nighttime consumption.

Many casino resorts, notably Luxor, consume more electricity at night due to higher loads driven by exterior lighting, shows, and in-room air conditioning.

“This deal marks another milestone in our climate objectives,” stated Bill Hornbuckle, CEO and president of MGM, in a release. “As we continue our sustainability journey, we are committed to discovering new methods to reduce our environmental impact, preserve resources, and motivate others to contribute to constructing a more sustainable world for future generations.”

In 2023, MGM disclosed that it had achieved two of its previously outlined carbon emission targets by reducing emissions per square foot by 45% by 2025 and by 50% by 2030. This progress has been made since 2016 through renewable energy projects in Las Vegas, including:

  • its 323,000-panel Mega Solar Array, delivering 100 MW to MGM Resorts’ 11 Las Vegas properties,
  • the 26,000 solar panels on the roof of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, providing 8.3MW to that facility, and
  • a 100-kW rooftop solar system aiding in powering the T-Mobile Arena.

According to MGM, the new deal “will bring the company closer to its objective of sourcing 100% renewable energy in North America by 2030.”



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