Bucuti & Tara resort staffs a full-time sustainability manager, a green team and holds the most eco-certifications throughout the Caribbean including LEED Silver, Green Globe Platinum, Travelife and ISO 14001. The resort derives 40% of its energy production from clean energy sourced from onsite photovoltaic solar panels (largest on Aruba in the private sector) as well as island-sourced energy produced by wind turbines and solar panels.
Initial situation
The initial energy situation was that Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, like every other energy customer on Aruba, had to rely on carbon-emitting fossil fuel energy and it had to rely on staff and guests to share in its plan. Due to the wide use of fossil fuel energy in the Island, the resort wanted to identify every area where energy consumption could be reduced.
Solution
The solution is 618 photovoltaic solar panels, a 170KW system. It’s the largest system on the island in the private sector and it generates 282,700 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. All 115 resort staff members have been trained to provide an energy-smart, sustainable vacation experience. With the various energy saving practices, including maintaining a minimum temperature in rooms and offices, Bucuti estimates it consumes 25% less energy than the average
hotel guestroom.
Innovation
The solar energy project at the resort reduced Bucuti’s energy demand by 15% and reduced carbon emissions by 120 metric tons of CO2e annually. Sourced from Aruba’s Tusk Energy Solutions, the system provides the maximum wattage a business on-island is permitted to produce.
The hotel goes as far as encouraging guests to partake in their sustainability initiative as a way of saving water and energy.
• Bucuti & Tara providing a sustainable tourism
• Installation of photovoltaic solar panels, a 170KW system
• 40% of its energy production from clean energy
• Sensors helped to achieved a 20% reduction in water usage
• Project can be replicated anywhere
