Renowned luxury resort operator, Soneva has been a trailblazer in sustainable luxury hospitality and is making significant advancements in renewable energy, particularly solar power in Maldives.
As a pioneer for responsible tourism, Soneva combines sustainability with exquisite luxury and intuitive, personalised service, The addition of new PV installations mark a new dawn as both Soneva Fushi in the Baa Atoll and Soneva Jani in the Noonu Atoll are on track to source nearly 50% of their energy needs from photovoltaic (PV) sources.
This ambitious target marks a considerable leap from the existing benchmarks of 12 % at Soneva Fushi, underscoring Soneva’s unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship and innovative energy solutions.
Founded in 1995, Soneva is an award-winning sustainable luxury resorts operator. At Soneva Fushi, Soneva Jani and the Soneva in Aqua yacht in the Maldives, and Soneva Kiri in Thailand, true ‘luxury’ is defined by peace, time and space. Guests discover the SLOW LIFE, reconnecting with themselves and the natural world through rare, unforgettable experiences.
Carbon neutral since 2012, Soneva launched its Total Impact Assessment to measure its social and environmental impact in 2016 – a first for the hospitality industry. A 2% environmental levy is added to every Soneva stay, with proceeds going towards the not-for-profit Soneva Foundation to offset carbon emissions and fund purposeful international projects.
Powering Progress with Purpose
This remarkable expansion of solar power at Soneva resorts was possible because of a USD 10 million funding boost from Aareal Bank from Germany in December 2022. This financial support has facilitated substantial upgrades, bringing Soneva Fushi’s solar installations to a total of 2.55 MWp (megawatt peak) and 2.7 MWh (megawatt hours) of battery capacity. Soneva Jani, similarly, now boasts 2.75 MWp of solar power and 2.0 MWh of battery capacity.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Luxury
Soneva at the forefront of the hospitality sector’s transition towards a zero-carbon future, with ambitious plans to achieve fully carbon-free operations across its Maldives resorts.
Our investment in solar energy demonstrates our commitment to sustainability while also contributing positively to our bottom line. Embracing solar power on such a significant scale has substantially reduced our carbon footprint and showcases what is possible in the hospitality industry.
Bruce Bromley, Chief Financial Officer and Deputy CEO at Soneva
Bromley acknowledge that the invaluable support from Aareal Bank had paved the way for integrating Soneva’s energy systems with other renewable technologies, propelling the company closer to their goal of achieving fossil fuel-free operations.
Innovations on the Horizon
To maximize the potential of solar energy, Soneva is exploring innovative solutions, including the installation of floating solar panels in the ocean surrounding its island resorts, along with new land-based locations. For example, the upcoming Soneva Secret 2024 resort in the remote Haa Dhaalu Atoll will feature floating solar panels, projected to cover nearly 90 percent of the resort’s energy load. Additionally, this resort will implement an integrated ice storage system for air conditioning, setting a new standard for renewable energy utilization.
Soneva is also expanding its existing sustainability strategies, such as rainwater harvesting and load shifting, to maximize the use of renewables. The company is assessing alternative storage technologies, including flow batteries that offer longer lifespans and the capacity to store substantial amounts of energy, and thermal storage to sustain and regulate renewable heat.
A Partnership for a Greener Future
Aareal Bank AG comprises the business segments Structured Property Financing, Banking & Digital Solutions, and Aareon. Under its Structured Property Financing segment, Aareal Bank supports its clients in making large-volume commercial property investments.
With a business strategy focused on sustainable business success, with environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects as an integral part of this strategy
The financial sector plays a decisive role in the transition of the property sector toward a carbon-free future. At Aareal Bank, we are embracing this responsibility. It gives us great satisfaction to witness our joint efforts bearing fruits and contributing to sustainable development on multiple fronts
Thomas Adaemmer, Managing Director and Head of Asia-Pacific at Aareal Bank.
Looking Ahead
As Soneva continues to innovate and invest in sustainable practices, the future of luxury travel looks brighter and greener. By setting ambitious targets and achieving significant milestones, Soneva is not only enhancing the guest experience but also setting a benchmark for the entire hospitality industry.
For more information about Soneva, visit www.soneva.com.
