Hotels strive to save energy due to fuel crisis
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)