In 2023, 45.3% of electricity in the EU came from renewable sources such as hydropower, wind, and solar energy. The share of sustainable energy used for heating and cooling is also steadily increasing, reaching 26.2% in the same year.
By 2030, the EU has set ambitious goals: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% and to further accelerate the growth of renewable energy.
Italy is performing well compared to the European average: by 2023, 39% of the country’s electricity was generated from renewable sources, primarily solar, hydro, and geothermal systems. However, certain sectors face particular challenges in improving energy efficiency – especially industry, transportation, and tourism.
Hotels and resorts, for example, have high energy demands for hot water, heated pools, air conditioning, and lighting. At the same time, this sector also offers significant opportunities to reduce consumption through innovative technologies and targeted measures, paving the way for a more sustainable future.
100% Energy from renewable sources
Since 2024, 100% of the electricity purchased for our ADLER properties has come from renewable sources. This has been made possible through our partnership with Alperia, a South Tyrolean energy provider. The electricity we purchase comes from renewable sources such as hydropower and solar energy.
In 2024, the total electricity consumption of our group amounted to 8,043,591 kWh.
Purchasing 100% of our electricity from renewable sources allows us to reduce the emissions associated with our electricity consumption and represents an important step towards more efficient and responsible energy management.
Energy from the sun – photovoltaic projects in our Resorts
In addition to purchasing electricity from renewable sources, we also generate electricity on site through our own photovoltaic systems.
In Tuscany, our photovoltaic system already covers 30% of the resort’s total energy consumption.
On the Plose, the system supplies around 25% of the electricity required by the AKI Family Resort.
Starting in 2026, a large photovoltaic installation will also become operational at the ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia, where it will provide approximately one-quarter of the property’s energy needs.
The electricity generated by our photovoltaic systems is used directly at the resorts, reducing the amount of electricity we need to draw from the grid.
More Efficiency, Less Consumption – Our Energy Management
Energy efficiency starts with the very design and architecture of our resorts.
An optimized building structure, featuring high-quality thermal insulation, modern windows, and well-insulated roofs, minimizes heat loss in winter and keeps rooms pleasantly cool in summer – significantly reducing the need for heating and cooling.
Carefully planned architectural elements, such as shaded facades and large windows that maximize the use of natural daylight, further lower energy consumption. Where possible, we also incorporate green roofs, which provide extra insulation, enhance the surrounding microclimate, and create natural habitats for plants and insects.
When selecting construction materials, we focus on regionality and durability. Where possible, we use locally sourced wood and natural stone, helping to reduce transport distances and support the use of materials connected to the local area.
For lighting, all ADLER properties have been fully converted to LED technology. Light sensors and automated systems ensure illumination is only active when truly needed, adjusting to natural daylight and occupancy levels.
Another area with significant energy-saving potential is our pools: Pool covers, now standard across all our resorts, prevent heat loss overnight and greatly reduce the energy required to maintain optimal water temperatures.
All ADLER properties are equipped with charging stations for electric vehicles, allowing our guests to charge their vehicles directly during their stay using electricity from renewable sources.
Smart systems and heat generation
In addition to architectural solutions, we use smart management systems that regulate heating, cooling, ventilation, and other facilities based on occupancy, time of day, and weather conditions. Energy-intensive equipment such as refrigeration and freezing systems, dishwashers, saunas, whirlpools, and laundry machines are continuously monitored to identify potential savings and optimization opportunities.
A key element of our approach is to reduce the need for active cooling wherever possible through well-insulated buildings, shading and intelligent temperature management. Air conditioning is used only at ADLER Thermae, ADLER Sicilia, ADLER Balance, AKI Plose and partially at ADLER Ritten.
At our other properties, we rely on architectural solutions and alternative systems to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures while keeping energy consumption as low as possible.
For heat generation, we rely on a diverse mix of sustainable technologies, including pellet heating systems, district heating, heat pumps, geothermal energy, and combined heat and power plants (CHP). In addition, heat recovery systems are used to reclaim energy from exhaust air, wastewater, and cooling processes, ensuring that no energy goes to waste.
ADLER Spa Resort Sicilia is fully electrified and does not use gas for its energy supply. 100% of the electricity purchased for the resort comes from renewable sources.
How each of us can save energy
Energy efficiency is a
collective effort, and everyone has the power to make a difference.
Even small changes in daily habits can have a meaningful impact, helping to save energy, cut costs, and protect the environment:
- Heat consciously: lowering your room temperature by just 1 °C can save around 6% of energy.
- Switch to LED bulbs: they use up to 80% less energy than traditional light bulbs.
- Turn devices off completely: avoid stand-by mode to prevent silent energy waste.
- Save hot water: take shorter showers and use efficient faucets to reduce both water and energy use.
- Run appliances fully loaded: washing machines and dishwashers work more efficiently when fully loaded, saving water, energy, and detergent.
Even while staying at our resorts, guests can
actively contribute to energy savings – all without compromising comfort.
Here are a few simple but effective steps:
- Remove the room card: when the card is taken out, room temperature control and lighting automatically switch to a minimal level, preventing unnecessary energy use while the room is unoccupied.
Keep windows closed: when heating or active cooling is in use, to prevent energy loss and maintain indoor comfort efficiently. - Reuse towels: this helps significantly reduce water and energy consumption in our laundry operations.
- Choose alternative ways to get around: For arrival and departure, guests can choose public transport or electric vehicles. Depending on the destination, alternatives such as e-bikes, buses and trains are also available locally, while many distances can be covered on foot..
By purchasing electricity from renewable sources, generating electricity through our own photovoltaic systems and implementing targeted energy-efficiency measures, we continuously work to reduce the energy consumption of our resorts and the emissions associated with our operations.
We regularly monitor and analyse our energy consumption to identify further opportunities for improvement and continuously increase the efficiency of energy management across our properties.