New Hybrid Energy Power System at the Majlis Hotel in Lamu, Kenya

As consumers demand more eco-friendly vacation choices, The Majlis Hotel in Lamu is responding with energy-efficient and carbon friendly solutions. Located on Manda island (Lamu archipelago) with no public power supply, the Majlis has been relying on its generators to produce electricity for the resort.

In line with the environmental policy of the hotel and the objective to reduce carbon emissions below 30%, and eventually to zero, The Majlis has decided to reduce its dependence on gasoline and to invest in alternative energy sources and energy efficient products, such as low consumption light bulbs.

The hotel is now runningon an "hybrid energy power system" based on generators, solar and wind energy. The 14 kVA (14,000 Volt-Amperes) solar panel system runs during the day and enables the resort to reduce its emission of carbon dioxide, a major contributor to global warming.The 6 kVA wind turbine system works 24 hours a day and contributes to the overall energy reductions of the resort. An additional 12kVA hybrid system is expected to be installed by the Majlis Hotel in early august 2011.





The major advantage of solar / wind hybrid system is that when solar and wind power production are used together, the reliability of the system is enhanced as the sun and the wind resources have opposite cycles and intensities during the same day or in some seasons. Additionally, the size of battery storage can be reduced slightly as there is less reliance on one method of power production.

"The operational changes we've made along with the new solar and wind array will lessen the environmental impact of the hotel," said Mr.Stefano Moccia, Managing Director of the Majlis Hotel in Lamu. "We are proud to be the first hotel in Kenya to run an hybrid energy power system and to increasingly offer an environmentally-sustainable experience to our guests, our employees and the community."