Saving Energy: the Holy Grail for Orchard Road Hotels

Orchard Road hotels are making significant strides in sustainability, implementing a variety of measures that reduce both their carbon footprint and operating costs.

Key decarbonising solutions include food digesters for recycling waste, eliminating single-use plastics in favour of refillable bottles and biodegradable toiletries, and installing energy-efficient technologies like LED lighting, solar panels, and advanced chillers. Many hotels are also deploying electric vehicles and enhancing landscaping.

Of these, the biggest step towards net zero is still in the area of energy efficiency.

Grand Hyatt Singapore, which reopened in July 2024 after extensive renovations, illustrates this commitment. The hotel replaced its outdated chillers with energy-efficient models, drastically reducing its electricity bill as energy efficiency is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality.

During renovations, Grand Hyatt also transitioned from diesel to electrical and gas generators and purchased renewable energy certificates to offset its energy consumption fully.

Similarly, Pullman Orchard Singapore prioritised energy efficiency, replacing older chillers and implementing automatic LED lighting systems, resulting in a 30% reduction in energy costs since last December.

Pan Pacific Orchard, opened in June 2023, embraced sustainability through innovative design and technology. Its rooftop solar panels generate 23,000 kilowatt-hours of renewable energy, contributing to the national grid. The hotel’s award-winning biophilic design has 14,000 square meters of greenery and non-airconditioned open spaces, rare in Singapore.

These hotels are part of the Orchard Road Business Association’s Sustainability Roadmap, committed to optimising energy efficiency, exploring sustainable energy sources, and pursuing relevant certifications.

Through these efforts, they demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainable hospitality without compromising guest experience.