One step forward in our energy transition

In recent years, awareness of the importance of sustainability and care for the environment has been growing.

More and more companies and organisations are looking for sustainable ways of doing business and the hotel sector is no exception.

For the Royal Son Bou Family Club it is a firm commitment which we have been wagering on over the last few years.

In fact, one of our strategic objectives has focused on reducing our carbon footprint, minimising the impact of our activities and promoting the use of renewable energy.
This is why the year 2023 is so important for us.

In 2023 we will complete one of the most ambitious projects since we opened our doors more than three decades ago: the commissioning of the Royal Son Bou photovoltaic plant.

We have told you about its evolution in other articles in this blog because it has been a long road since 2019 when we started with the documentation. Thanks to the invaluable help of professionals such as Josep Quintana, from the firm 2Pir Ingenieros, we were able to resolve all the procedures favourably and start the 2022 works.

Until today, we can say that the plant is fully operational.

This project includes several of our corporate objectives and we will summarise some of the most important ones below:

• We generate clean, renewable energy: in the first 20 days of April alone we generated just over 121,000 KWh. We plan to generate 1,765,800 KWh in a year. To put this figure into perspective, bear in mind that, on average, a house in Spain consumes around 3,500 KWh per year (data from the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving, IDEA). In other words, with the annual production we could power 500 homes.
• We reduce dependence on non-renewable energy sources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change mitigation. From 2023 we will be a Net Zero hotel. That is, we will achieve net zero carbon dioxide emissions.
• Savings in energy costs: although the initial investment can be significant (around 1.4 million euros), the solar panels have a long life span and require little maintenance, which allows for a return on investment over time. Thanks to support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) it has been possible for us to invest and install the 2,424 540Wp solar panels.
• Positive impact on the environmental awareness of guests, staff and the local community: our families are environmentally conscious and increasingly demand responsible use of resources.
• Commitment to government policies: We are doing our bit to comply with the Energy Transition and Climate Change Plan. With this plan we are moving towards energy self-sufficiency so that 35% of the energy generated in the Balearic Islands comes from renewable energies and 100% by 2050.

The actions we take today will have a direct effect on the legacy we leave to our descendants. That's why we are proud to share our commitment with you, to tell you about the progress we are making in sustainability to ensure the protection and preservation of our natural environment for future generations.

Only in this way can we ensure that the Royal Son Bou Family Club continues to be that special place in which to treasure unforgettable memories and experiences.