Disney Is Building a New Solar Facility, Powering Two Theme Parks

Famous for its expansive theme parks that have been entertaining millions of visitors for almost 50 years, Walt Disney World has announced that they’re adding a giant new solar facility. Over the decades, the theme parks have successfully maintained their original look and feel. However, they have also made several green upgrades behind the scenes.

Celebrating Earth Day last month, Dr. Mark Penning, the Vice President, Animals, Science and Environment at Disney Parks and Resorts made the exciting announcement.

I’m thrilled to share details with you about the next milestone in Disney’s continued commitment to environmental stewardship. Walt Disney World Resort recently embarked on a new initiative in collaboration with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and solar project developer Origis Energy USA to bring a new 270-acre, 50-megawatt solar facility online by the end of the year, generating enough renewable clean energy to power two of its four theme parks in Central Florida!

 

This solar facility will include half a million solar panels and will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 57,000 tons per year. That’s the annual equivalent of removing 9,300 automobiles from the roads. More broadly, this initiative will join the numerous efforts The Walt Disney Company has launched to deliver its 2020 goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2012.

Environmental Impact of Disney’s solar facility

The facility, which will be located near Disney’s Animal Kingdom, will begin construction in the coming months. In fact, the first of the solar panels have already began arriving  for the project.

Walt Disney recently also unveiled a five-megawatt solar facility near Epcot, developed in conjunction with the Reedy Creek Improvement District and Duke Energy. When the sun shines bright during the peak hours, together, these two facilities will generate enough solar energy to provide up to 25 percent of the power needs at Walt Disney World Resort.