Darryl Shaw, group operations director of the Everbright Hotels group, urged companies to join the eco-revolution without fear.
He spoke as the keynote guest at the annual Christmas dinner of Wrexham Business Professionals.
Already at the forefront of the net-zero drive, Mr Shaw said Everbright intends to continue leading in North Wales.
The award-winning company plans to implement a £2 million carbon reduction plan across its hotel portfolio, including Rossett Hall Hotel in Rossett and The Wild Pheasant Hotel in Llangollen.
Other sites within the group include the Llandudno Bay Hotel, the Belmont in Llandudno, the George Hotel in Penrith, and Stonecross Manor in Kendal.
Mr Shaw explained that the benefits of going green far outweigh any concerns about the initial investment costs.
He said the carbon reduction plan came together after Rossett Hall was acquired by the Everbright group in 2015.
Following extensive research and consultations with experts, the group fully embraced sustainability initiatives and experienced the investment returns firsthand.
He said the positives are two-fold, financial and environmental.
The environmentally-conscious approach earned Everbright group the title of 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 substantial, with the first phase amounting to over £150,000, the resulting efficiencies mean the company expects to recoup that in two years.
Daryl Shaw (Group Operations Director at Everbright Hotels) (Image: Supplied) The changes, overseen by green energy consultants Aqualogik Limited, included the reconfiguration of heating and water systems, which significantly reduced energy bills and, once completed, will achieve 90 tonnes 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 firsthand, 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 kinds 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.
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.”
