Cleantech
MGM’s Mega Solar Array Now Powering 13 LV Strip Resorts

This week, MGM Resorts International launched its 100-megawatt solar array, the hospitality industry's largest directly sourced renewable electricity project worldwide. The array's clean energy now produces up to 90 percent of MGM Resorts' Las Vegas daytime power needs, spanning 65 million square feet of buildings across 13 properties and more than 36,000 rooms on the Las Vegas Strip — including ARIA, Bellagio, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, The Mirage, New York New York and Park MGM.

"With MGM Resorts' significant scale and resources, we're positioned to make a meaningful difference in the fight against climate change, and we recognize our responsibility to build a more environmentally sustainable future," said CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle. "Today, we're marking a significant step forward in our environmental sustainability initiatives in Las Vegas and our long-term vision to protect the planet and achieve an enduring, positive impact in our communities worldwide."

In conjunction with the City of Las Vegas’ own shift toward renewables to help rein in the tourist mecca's flagrant resource consumption, the launch of the new mega solar array marks a milestone in MGM’s long-term climate strategy and significantly accelerates progress toward its 2025 goal to reduce its emissions by 45 percent per square foot. MGM Resorts also announced two new goals it has developed in line with guidance provided by the Science Based Targets initiative, and has submitted for SBTi consideration:

1. Reduce absolute scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions 50 percent by 2030 (2019 base year)

2. Source 100 percent renewable electricity in US and 80 percent globally by 2030

"MGM Resorts has long been Nevada's largest private employer and has shown a clear commitment to using their size and scale to lead on important issues like climate change, renewable energy and sustainability,” said Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak. “This solar array is among the most significant steps our industry has taken in terms of tackling climate change and promoting renewable energy. Powering so much of the Strip with clean, renewable energy sends a powerful message about Nevada's role as a national leader in renewable energy and our commitment to fighting climate change."

Located in the desert north of Las Vegas, MGM's Mega Solar Array features 323,000 panels arranged across 640 acres. The array's renewable electricity production will be equivalent to the amount of power used by approximately 27,000 average US homes annually. MGM Resorts is the sole user of the renewable electricity generated.

The array's development and launch are the latest of MGM’s efforts to achieve its long-term climate goals. The company’s commitments to date include:

• Investing over $60 million in energy efficiency in its US properties from 2007 to 2019, including major upgrades to energy-efficient lighting and heating and air conditioning systems.

• Pursuing green building certification for all new property developments since 2009. CityCenter — home to the ARIA and Vdara resorts — earned six LEED Gold certifications when it opened in 2009 and remains the world's largest privately funded LEED-certified development.

• Launching the 8.3-megawatt array, the US’s largest contiguous rooftop solar array on a convention center, at Mandalay Bay in 2015.

• Transitioning to distribution-only service in its local utility grid in 2016, allowing MGM Resorts to take control of its energy future and accelerate use of renewable power.

The Mega Solar Array project was developed in partnership with Invenergy — a leading, privately held developer and operator of sustainable energy solutions — and structured through a 20-year power purchase agreement.

Through this 100-megawatt array and MGM Resorts' ambitious new goals, the company reinforces its commitment to its companywide social impact and sustainability platform, Focused on What Matters — whose pillars include fostering diversity and inclusion, investing in communities and protecting the planet.