25 Jan 2018
Six Flags' plans for world's first solar-powered theme park get green light
BY Tom Anstey
Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey, US, will be the world’s first theme park to go solar after it reached an agreement with local groups over the game-changing plans.
In the works since 2015, environmental bodies had objected to the proposals because they would have included felling 19,000 trees to make way for the solar power facility.
But a new agreement will see the number of trees more than halved, with 40 acres cut down rather than 90.
The amended plan states more than half the solar panels will be built on top of an employee car park, an overflow car park and part of the car park serving the waterpark.
“This is a proud day for our company,” said John Winkler, president of Six Flags Great Adventure Park.
"This project represents a giant step towards becoming a net-zero carbon facility.
“We're pleased we were able to come to a satisfactory agreement with all parties involved.
"Clean energy is right for the environment and our future, and we look forward to decades of environmental stewardship with our partner, KDC Solar.”
The plan will reduce the park’s carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 24 times the amount that the forest would reduce naturally, providing almost all of its energy needs through the year.
Six Flags expects construction to begin by March and for the solar facility to be fully operational by the end of 2019.
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