In a significant push for sustainable tourism, travel giant TUI has activated three new solar parks in Turkey, bringing a combined capacity of approximately 15 megawatts (MW) online to power eight of its hotels. This initiative, finalized in mid-August 2024, provides a year-round supply of clean energy and marks a substantial step in the company’s global commitment to decarbonization.
15 MW Solar Plants Power Turkish Hotels: Strategic Growth
The newly operational solar facilities are a mix of direct ownership and strategic partnerships. One plant, boasting a 6.8 MWp capacity, is directly operated by TUI Hotels and Resorts Türkiye and will service four hotels. The other two plants were developed through a joint venture with Turkish hotel chain Akra and are situated in the southern regions of Elmalı and Alanya, supplying green electricity to an additional four hotels.
Image: Collected
Sebastian Ebel, CEO of TUI Group, highlighted the dual benefits of the project. “This initiative underlines our aim to grow sustainably and profitably and to significantly reduce our emissions,” Ebel stated. “The solar parks in Türkiye provide our local hotels with a cost-effective and environmentally friendly energy supply. For TUI, the new PV plants are an important step towards achieving the sustainability goals to which we are clearly committed.”
Expanding a Global Renewable Energy Footprint with 15 MW Solar Plants Power Turkish Hotels
This 15 MW project is part of a much broader solar campaign for TUI. The company is already planning further expansion in Turkey, with a third solar plant under the Akra partnership expected to connect to the grid later this year, and another facility planned for Şanlıurfa to power two more hotels. Globally, TUI’s commitment is evident, having installed around 20 photovoltaic systems at its hotels and resorts worldwide in 2023 alone.
The company’s green energy strategy also extends to its corporate infrastructure. In Germany, all TUI buildings now operate on 100% renewable energy. A prime example is the 7,000-square-meter solar array atop the TUI Campus in Hanover, which has a capacity of up to 1.5 MWp and now powers the entire office complex and 42 electric vehicle charging stations.
Aligning with National Trends: 15 MW Solar Plants Power Turkish Hotels
TUI’s investment aligns perfectly with Turkey’s national energy ambitions. The country surpassed 12 gigawatts (GW) of total installed solar capacity in 2024 and has set a formidable goal to increase the share of renewables in its energy production to 65% by 2035. By championing solar energy, TUI not only reduces its operational costs and environmental impact but also caters to a growing market of travelers seeking more sustainable tourism options. These projects demonstrate a clear path toward a future where profitability and environmental stewardship go hand in hand.
Sources
- Jetwing use solar power with an investment of USD 1 million
- TUI Group Advances Sustainability Efforts with New Solar Power …
- Türkiye’s special role in the global solar thermal market
- TUI powers hotels with solar plants in Turkey – PV Magazine
- TUI: Three solar parks in Turkey in operation – Travel Daily News
- TUI Sustainability Year 2024 in Numbers
- Three solar parks in Türkiye in operation | TUI Group
