Slot machine giant Aristocrat Gaming will power its Southern Nevada operations with 100 percent renewable electricity after being selected for NV Energy’s 2026 GreenEnergy Rider program.
Aristocrat was one of four Nevada organizations selected for the 2026 program and the only participant from Southern Nevada. The company secured nearly 5,000 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity for its North American headquarters in Summerlin and its Las Vegas Integration Center in Henderson.
The GreenEnergy Rider program allows large businesses and government agencies to purchase renewable electricity through NV Energy by paying an additional renewable resource rate. Participation is limited, with customers selected through an annual application process.
Harry Ashton, group general manager of sustainability at Aristocrat, said the transition is part of the company’s global initiative and commitments set in 2021 to meet “science-based, emissions reduction targets.” To meet its targets, Aristocrat already transitioned its Australian operations to renewable energy, as well.
Ashton said the company’s utility bills have remained “fairly neutral” as it transitions to purchasing renewable energy from the utility. Although, he said it costs less for it to transition in Australia than in Nevada.
“Most companies, we feel, have got to do their bit, and we’re looking to do ours,” said Ashton. “We think it’s the right thing to do for all of our stakeholders, including our investors, our staff and also our customers and suppliers that are going down this pathway as well.”
Other areas Aristocrat is looking to reduce emissions are with its fleet of vehicles, supply chain, waste, as well as employee and business travel.
“This is not the be all and end all of our program,” said Ashton. “This is one component, not even our most material sustainability matter, but a matter that we’re very keen to keep pursuing and proud of.”
The GreenEnergy Rider program was approved by Public Utilities Commission of Nevada in 2013 and has continued to be updated and expanded over the past decade.
To apply, those interested must sign, complete and submit a letter of intent during open enrollment, Nov. 1 to Nov. 30 every year, and be selected by the utility to participate. For the 2026 program, there were 45,990 megawatt hours available for Northern Nevada customers and 139,284 megawatt hours for Southern Nevada customers.
“Customers enroll in the program, and NV Energy retires the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) associated with their subscription, allowing participating customers to claim the environmental benefits of that renewable energy,” said Jared Bilberry, NV Energy’s GreenEnergy Rider program manager.”
Ten organizations applied for the 2026 GreenEnergy Rider program, but only four were selected. Previous participants have included the city of Las Vegas, Switch and Apple, highlighting growing demand among large organizations seeking renewable electricity through NV Energy.
“The primary benefit of the NV Green Energy Rider is to our customers and communities,” said Bilberry. “The program provides businesses, public agencies, and other organizations with a practical way to advance their renewable energy and sustainability goals through NV Energy.”
Contact Emerson Drewes at edrewes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @EmersonDrewes on X.
