The Peninsula recognised for energy consumption

The Energy Efficiency Forum (EEF) was founded by the City of Cape Town, Eskom and the South African Property Owners Association (SAPOA), and is co-funded by Old Mutual. The EEF awarded the accolade (in the Large Building category) to the Hotel based on its concerted implementation of interventions that have resulted in substantial reductions in energy consumption.

"Having a positive impact on our surrounding community and environment has always been central to The Peninsula's ethos. Initiatives like the EEF Awards are very important and allow us to connect with other organisations concerned with this area," says Fuaad Sieed, The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel property manager and Green Team Committee chairman.

As one of over 1,000 registered members, The Peninsula showed comprehensive evidence of its successful efforts to enact positive change and increased awareness across operational, technological and behavioural areas over the past two years. In addition, the Hotel presented promising plans for sustaining and improving on this success going forward.

Increased awareness

Every part of the building - from the kitchen and laundry areas to the guest rooms and restaurant - was targeted in these efforts, with all members of staff as well as guests being educated to continually increase awareness and enhance energy-efficient practices.

"The City of Cape Town, Eskom and the South African Property Owners Association would like to congratulate The Peninsula All-Suite Hotel on taking committed action to reduce their electricity consumption and for winning the Cape Town Energy Efficiency Forum Award in the large building category. A city that pays attention to its energy consumption is a non-negotiable requirement for efficiency and future sustainability," says the city's Mayoral Committee member for Energy, Environmental and Spatial Planning, Councillor Johan van der Merwe.

At the helm of these efforts, the Green Team Committee implemented and monitored efforts that spanned lighting; heating, ventilation and air-conditioning; hot water optimisation; building management systems; and process optimisation.

Among others, energy-saving and motion-sensitive lights and lamps were installed throughout the hotel, OTEK ozone dosing systems and cold wash utilised for washing machines, and new, more effective heat pumps installed to heat jacuzzi and swimming pool water.