US cancels the world's largest solar farm, with the Trump administration cancelling approval for the 6.2 gigawatt Nevada project

The Trump administration has canceled plans for a massive solar power development in Nevada—a project that would have ranked among the largest in the world—signaling that the White House’s opposition to renewable energy now extends beyond wind to include solar as well.

On Thursday, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) updated the status of the Esmeralda 7 Solar Project to show that its environmental review had been “cancelled,” according to a report by Heatmap.

The proposed complex in southern Nevada was expected to span roughly 185 square miles—nearly the size of Las Vegas—and combine seven separate solar installations planned by companies including NextEra Energy Resources, Leeward Renewable Energy, Arevia Power, and Invenergy. Together, the network of panels and battery systems would have generated about 6.2 gigawatts of electricity, enough to power nearly two million homes.

In a statement, the Interior Department suggested that portions of the project could still move forward in another form. “During routine discussions prior to the lapse in appropriations, the proponents and BLM agreed to change their approach for the Esmeralda 7 Solar Project in Nevada,” a spokesperson said. “Instead of pursuing a programmatic environmental analysis, applicants will now have the option to submit individual project proposals for more targeted reviews.”

The joint proposal, initially approved under President Joe Biden, appeared to remain on track even after Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year. The BLM had advanced a draft environmental impact statement but never issued a final version or a record of decision, effectively stalling the project.

A NextEra Energy Resources spokesperson told The Guardian: “We are still in the early stages of development and remain committed to working with the Bureau of Land Management to complete a thorough environmental analysis.” The outlet also reached out to Leeward Renewable Energy, Arevia Power, and Invenergy for comment.

The cancellation follows a series of executive actions targeting renewables. On his first day back in office, Trump ordered a pause on new renewable energy permits on federally managed lands and waters. In February, he appointed Kathleen Sgamma, head of the oil industry trade group Western Energy Alliance, to lead the BLM.

Then, in July, as part of efforts to rally support for his tax and spending bill, Trump issued another directive halting renewable energy approvals. The order instructed the Department of the Interior to reexamine policies affecting wind and solar projects and granted Interior Secretary Doug Burgum the authority to make final decisions on whether such projects could proceed.

By August, Trump made his position explicit:

“We will not approve wind or farmer-destroying Solar,” he wrote on Truth Social. “The days of stupidity are over in the USA!!!”