MGM Resorts International activated the 100 MW Mega Solar Array, a project that would supply power to 13 of their Las Vegas strip properties.
The resort giant said the array is capable of providing 90% of its daytime energy needs. This equates to about 35% of total energy use by buildings that typically have significant nighttime demand.
The Invenergy-developed project is structured through a 20-year power purchase agreement. Earlier this year, Invenergy sold 75% of its stake in the project to AEP Renewables, a unit of Columbus, Ohio-based American Electric Power.
The 323,000-module system sits on 640 acres of land 30 miles north of Las Vegas. MGM said the location was selected with attention to environmental impacts on landscape and biodiversity in the location.
MGM paid $87 million in 2016 to divorce itself from Nevada utility NV Energy and buy power on the wholesale market. This project marks the completion of a first step toward its plan to target increased renewable energy following the breakup.
Around 938,044 metric tons of CO2 equivalent were emitted by MGM Las Vegas Resorts in 2019, and the company said it targets a 50% absolute cut in emissions by 2030.
Among the properties to be powered by this project will be Bellagio, Aria, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The Mirage.
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Only in Las Vegas do you have to a divorce from your power company and the price is steep like all other divorces. “MGM paid $87 million in 2016 to divorce itself from Nevada utility NV Energy and buy power on the wholesale market. This project marks the completion of a first step toward its plan to target increased renewable energy following the breakup. ” NV Energy eliminated solar leases and NEM agreements for homeowners as well, making connecting to the NV power grid a non-starter. Off grid or or direct to supplier as MGM did is your only option, but, all your existing utility supplied equipment must be compensated for.