Disney Parks said on Thursday that it expects two of its resort destinations to receive a large chunk of their power from solar energy over the next few years.
The theme park giant used Earth Day as an occasion to announce progress in its decarbonization efforts at its parks and resorts around the world, including Walt Disney World in Florida, which the company said is poised to receive 40% of its annual power from solar energy.
A company blog post published Thursday detailed a solar facility that is expected to power nearly 70% of Castaway Cay, a private island in the Bahamas served by Disney Cruise Line, and laid out plans for two new 75 MW solar facilities to be constructed at Disney World, both of which are expected to be up and running in about two years.
DISNEY UPDATES DRESS CODE FOR PARK EMPLOYEES, ALLOWING TATTOOS AND ‘GENDER-INCLUSIVE’ HAIRSTYLES
Disney World already has an operating field of solar panels built in the shape of Mickey Mouse, and those along with the new panels combined will provide the resort with an estimated 40% of its power, according to Disney Parks’s Vice President for Animals, Science, and the Environment Mark Penning.
The projects show that the company is “pushing the boundaries in our unique Disney way,” Penning said in the blog post.
The post also said that Disneyland Paris will soon unveil solar canopies, covered by 67,500 solar panels total, that can accommodate 9,500 guest vehicles.
“To put all of this into perspective our Disney Parks, Experiences and Products solar portfolio around the world can produce enough energy to power eight Magic Kingdom Parks at Walt Disney World Resort,” Penning said. Magic Kingdom is one of four theme parks at the Florida resort.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Disney Parks has committed to achieving net-zero emissions for its direct operations by the year 2030.
