6.2GW! US BLM Revokes Approval for Nevada’s Esmeralda Seven Solar Project

PVTIME – On Thursday, the US Bureau of Land Management (BLM) revoked its approval for the major solar project The Esmeralda Seven in Nevada.

The project, which is being developed jointly by firms including NextEra Energy, Arevia Power, ConnectGen and Invenergy, encompasses seven solar farms with energy storage systems and spans 185 square miles, an area roughly the size of Las Vegas. The project began its permitting process under the Biden administration and was planned to have a capacity of 6.2GW, enough to power nearly two million households. It was also one of the largest solar projects under development in North America.

US President Trump’s comments in August were seen as a clear indication that the project would eventually be cancelled. He claimed that states relying on wind turbines and solar power were experiencing record-breaking rises in utility bills and energy costs, labelling this the scam of the century and stating that his administration would not approve projects involving wind or solar power that harmed farmers’ interests.

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly attempted to reduce support for renewable energy. His flagship America First legislation has removed multiple clean energy incentives, including the early termination of clean energy tax credits and the end of tax breaks for electric vehicle purchases. Just days before the BLM’s decision, the US Department of Energy announced that it was terminating 223 energy projects, most of which focused on clean and renewable energy.