MGM Resorts International recently signed a power purchase agreement with Escape Solar that will more than double its access to clean solar electricity. The agreement assists MGM Resorts in its goal of procuring 100% renewable electricity in North America by 2030.
MGM Resorts currently uses solar power for 90% of the total daytime needs at 11 of its Las Vegas Strip properties.
“This agreement is the next step toward the achievement of our climate goals,” said MGM Resorts President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle in a statement. “We have our eyes on meeting our science-based targets and goal of sourcing 100% of our electricity in North America from renewable sources by 2030. As 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.”
The 25-year compact will amplify MGM Resort’s renewable energy capabilities and extend production to cover 100% of those properties’ total daytime needs. Escape Solar +’s battery storage will enable the extension of renewable power provided into the late afternoon and early evening hours to include uses such as exterior property lighting.
The Escape Solar + Storage project, which will be operated by Estuary Power, is slated for construction in Lincoln County, Nevada. It will combine a 115-megawatt solar facility with a 100 megawatt/400 megawatt-hour battery storage system. The facility will produce an amount of renewable electricity equivalent to the annual power usage of more than 28,000 average U.S. homes.
Operations are expected to start in early 2026.
“Estuary is delighted to contribute to MGM Resorts’ industry-leading renewable energy objectives by supplying solar energy and battery capacity from our Escape Solar project,” said Estuary Power CEO Jill Daniel. “MGM Resorts’ purchase of renewable energy from Escape will reduce carbon emissions by nearly 250,000 metric tons annually. In addition, Escape will generate substantial economic benefits for Lincoln County, Nevada as the first utility scale solar project in the county and will create over 250 well-paying construction jobs.”
In 2023, MGM Resorts achieved two goals related to carbon emissions: the reduction of emissions by square feet by 45% by 2025 and the reduction of emissions per square feet by 50% by 2030.
Since 2016, MGM Resorts has significantly reduced its carbon emissions through renewable energy projects including:
- 323,000-panel Mega Solar Array providing 100 megawatts to MGM Resorts locations in Las Vegas
- 26,000 solar panels atop the Mandalay Bay Convention Center providing 8.3 megawatts to that property
- 100-kilowatts rooftop solar array to help power T-Mobile Arena
- 3,456 solar panels atop the parking garage at MGM Springfield in Massachusetts
