On World Energy Day, Disneyland Paris announced the phased development of one of the largest solar canopy plants in Europe as part of a continued commitment to environmental stewardship. The solar plant will be developed in collaboration with Urbasolar and will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 750 tons of CO2 per year. It will technically result in enough renewable clean energy to power 17% of the resort – equivalent to the annual energy consumption of a small city!
This project is another step in our efforts to reduce our carbon footprint and part of a global effort to our long-term goals of attaining net zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste, while conserving water resources and reversing the decline of wildlife.
The solar plant at Disneyland Paris began construction in July and is slated for completion in 2023, with our first milestone for the first phase in spring 2021. In total, it will encompass 17 hectares (42 acres) of solar canopies, using 67,500 solar panels for a production of 31 gigawatt-hours per year.
Not only will the new plant shade guests from the sunlight, rain, and snow, but it will have a hint of Disney magic once the project is completed – illuminating a section in the shape of a Mickey Mouse head at night, which will be visible from the sky.
Geothermal energy already feeds both Disneyland Paris Parks and the Disneyland Hotel as a result of an innovative plant located at Villages Nature Paris. It uses naturally occurring underground heat and steam to help cover the heating needs for sanitary hot water and heating system of the facilities.