Hotels strive to save energy due to fuel crisis

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In the midst of the fuel crisis, hotels are working to conserve energy by ensuring the efficient use of electric appliances.

The Jakarta Twin Plaza Hotel's chief engineer, Riyantho Butarbutar, said on Tuesday fewer hotels were using generators because of the fuel shortages.

"Due to the fuel shortage, hotels have stopped operating their own generators and instead are using power from PLN.

"This has increased the burden on PLN, which will need more fuel to power its plants. If this continues, PLN may raise its rates, which would force hotels to raise their rates," Riyanto said on the sidelines of a seminar on energy conservation at hotels.

Many hotels are trying to save energy by being more frugal with their electric appliances.

The management of the Twin Plaza Hotel decided to shut off the air conditioners from 2 a.m. to 4:30 a.m.

"Around that time most of our guests are asleep. And the rooms will remain cold because the night temperature in Jakarta is not too warm," said Riyantho, adding that hotel had not received any complaints about the new policy.

He said this efficiency drive had allowed the hotel to cut its electricity usage by 5 percent to 10 percent.

"The efficiency drive has also increased the hotel's revenue by Rp 30 million (US$3,053) per month," he said.

Riyantho said the Twin Plaza Hotel, in cooperation with Jakarta-based Pelangi, a non-governmental organization that promotes energy conservation, was identifying its energy usage.

"Based on the energy audit, 60 percent of our electricity consumption goes for ACs. That is why we have prioritized cutting down on AC usage," he said, adding that other hotels should conduct an "energy audit".

Pelangi's information and communication manager, Nugroho Nurdikiawan, said that aside from the Twin Plaza Hotel, two other hotels in Jakarta -- Graha Wisata Kuningan and Graha Wisata Cibubur -- had participated in a pilot project for energy conservation.

"Why hotels? Because we believe that each hotel can cut down its energy usage by 25 percent, which would help the national energy conservation drive. It also means less spending," Nugroho said. (006)