BUSINESS leaders in Wales have been urged to make 2025 a landmark year to ramp up the introduction of green technologies.
Darryl Shaw, who is the Group Operations Director of the Everbright Hotels group, advised companies not to be daunted by the thought of joining the eco-revolution.
Mr Shaw was the keynote guest speaker at the annual Christmas dinner of Wrexham Business Professionals at city’s Ramada Plaza Hotel.
Already a trailblazer in the drive to achieve net zero, he said Everbright will continue to lead the way in North Wales.
He said the award-winning company plans to roll out its £2 million plan to cut carbon across its entire portfolio of hotels, including historic Rossett Hall Hotel, in nearby Rossett, and The Wild Pheasant Hotel, in Llangollen.
Among the group’s other sites are the Llandudno Bay Hotel and the Belmont in Llandudno, along with the George Hotel in Penrith and Stonecross Manor in Kendal.
He told the packed auditorium that the benefits of going green far outweigh any fears about the initial costs of investment.
Mr Shaw said the carbon reduction plan came together after Rosett Hall was taken over by the Everbright Group in 2015.
Following extensive research and consultations with experts, the group had fully embraced sustainability initiatives and seen first-hand the investment returns it can bring. He said the positives are two-fold, financial and environmental.
Its environmentally-conscious approach saw Everbright Group crowned Sustainable Luxury Hotel Group of the Year.
Its flagship grade-II-listed Llandudno Bay Hotel won the Green Innovation Award for the North Wales and West Cheshire Region at the 2024 British Chambers of Trade Awards.
Mr Shaw said that while the cost of installing green technology at the Bay was significant with the first phase totting up to more than £150,000, the resulting efficiencies mean the company expects to get that back in two years.
The changes, overseen by green energy consultants Aqualogik Limited, included reconfiguration of heating and water systems has brought down energy bills hugely and by the time the project is completed will achieve 90 tons of decarbonisation annually
He said: “The figures simply make financial sense. Yes, a significant amount of initial investment is required at the installation stages but the difference these technologies make is worth it.
“We found this to be especially so in the recent years of surging energy prices. Our hotel heating and water bills were soaring. At the Bay our electricity costs went from 14.5p/KWH to 45p/KWH in just a couple of years.
“The only sensible choice when facing such rapidly escalating costs was to embrace the greener energy alternative and having experienced the results first hand I would urge everyone else to do the same.”
At the Llandudno Bay Hotel, new aluminium and copper radiators were installed which only required 650 litres of water compared to the old system’s 2,500 with that water only heated to 55C instead of over 70C.
Multi-zone temperature controllers were fitted in all the bedrooms and public areas to avoid heating empty spaces to the same level as those in use.
It fitted solar panels including thermodynamic panels as an alternative to air-source heat pumps with the electricity generated by the panels capable of being stored in batteries to be used at peak times and also to support the electric car chargers
New electric vehicle charging points, including a 50Kw DC Fast charger, were also installed.
According to Mr Shaw, these kind of green policies can help build stronger more reliable economies and promote future growth.
He told fellow business leaders that North Wales is perfectly situated to tap into natural resources.
The Wrexham Business Professionals event was chaired by Ian Edwards who thanked Mr Shaw for his inspirational insights into the hospitality sector.
He said collaboration and learning from each other was at the heart of the Wrexham Business Professionals reason for being.
The group is made up of successful businesses and skilled professionals working together to promote regional prosperity and shine a light on the enterprise and expertise that exists in the region.
Louise Harper, another leading member of Wrexham Business Professionals, thanked Mr Shaw for his “thought-provoking and inspirational” message.
She said: “It is imperative that the business community embraces green technology, not just as means of safeguarding the environment but also as a driver of economic growth. As well as helping to safeguard the planet, it can boost your bottom line.”
