Disneyland Paris to Complete Final Phase of Largest European Solar Canopy Plant in 2023, Covering 11,200 Parking Spaces
Hi everyone!
Disneyland Paris has announced that it will complete the final phase of the largest European solar canopy plant by the end of this year (2023). We parked a couple of times last month in the Disneyland Paris parking lot, where the work is being completed. It is very nice to have shade and a comfortable walking experience back to the car. The solar canopy plant at Disneyland Paris will cover 11,200 parking spaces when complete.
Read more below on this initiative from Disneyland Paris! This is just one of a number of environmental initiatives at the resort.
Photos provided by Disneyland Paris
The solar canopy plant under construction at Disneyland Paris since 2020 already produces 27 GWh of energy and will produce 36 GWh per year upon completion at the end of 2023. This initiative is part of resort actions for the environment, supporting The Walt Disney Company 2030 environmental goals. Specific to Disneyland Paris, some areas guiding actions and projects include emissions, materials, waste and circular economy, water management, and biodiversity.
1/ Emissions: 46.2% reduction in direct operations (scope 1 & 2) and 27.5% reduction in indirect emissions (scope 3) by 2030
Disneyland Paris has positioned itself as a leader in this space by implementing several concrete solutions, such as using its 20-hectare guest parking lot to build the largest solar canopy plant in Europe. This construction, which began in 2020 as a co-investment with French group Urbasolar, will cover 11,200 parking spaces, including spaces for cars, camper vans and buses, when it is complete. The installation already provides additional experience enhancements for guests, such as shade and shelter from direct sunlight, rain or snow. This ambitious project will produce 36 GWh per year, equal to the consumption of a town of 17,400 inhabitants and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 890 tons of CO2 per year in the Val d’Europe territory. The third section of the plant is now operational, producing 27 GWh of energy thanks to the 63,000 solar panels already installed. Construction of the final section is now underway.
“As the top tourist destination in Europe, we have a responsibility to continue to operate and grow our business in a way that will allow us to deliver a positive environmental legacy for future generations. From our day-to-day operations to the implementation of new and ambitious projects – such as the installation of a solar canopy plant on our guest parking lot – we are more than ever adopting a deliberate approach to effectively mitigate our environmental footprint,” says Natacha Rafalski, Présidente of Disneyland Paris.
Disneyland Paris also uses geothermal energy to cover 18% of its annual needs. This represents a significant contribution in the reduction of energy usage and emissions for direct operations. The resort has also implemented a sustainable purchasing policy as part of its plan to reduce indirect emissions.
In addition, to further raise awareness and engage with our guests, the digital platform “My Green Butler” is currently being tested at Disney Davy Crockett Ranch. Deployed in some bungalows, this initiative enables guests to control their water and electricity consumption during their stay.