The Trump administration has cancelled the Esmeralda 7 solar project in Nevada, one of the world's largest proposed solar installations, in a move that signals a broader crackdown on renewable energy. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) changed the project's status to 'cancelled' on Thursday, halting its environmental review.
The project, located in southern Nevada, would have covered 185 square miles—an area close to the size of Las Vegas—and included seven solar developments from companies such as NextEra Energy Resources, Leeward Renewable Energy, Arevia Power, and Invenergy. Together, they were expected to generate 6.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power nearly two million homes.
The Interior Department indicated that individual project proposals could still be submitted. A spokesperson said: 'During routine discussions... the proponents and BLM agreed to change their approach... Instead of pursuing a programmatic level environmental analysis, the applicants will now have the option to submit individual project proposals.'
The project was initially permitted under the Biden administration. Even after President Trump returned to office, the BLM had advanced a draft environmental impact statement, but the process stalled before a final decision was made. NextEra Energy Resources stated it remains 'committed to pursuing our project’s comprehensive environmental analysis by working closely with the Bureau of Land Management.'
Trump's actions against renewables include a day-one executive order pausing new renewable energy authorisations on federal land, and a July order giving Interior Secretary Doug Burgum final say on such projects. In August, Trump posted on Truth Social: 'We will not approve wind or farmer destroying Solar. The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!'
