Cinnamon Grand gets energy efficient

Tuesday, 18 September 2012 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In yet another initiative towards a greener tomorrow, the Cinnamon Grand Sustainability Division held an energy savings seminar for the hotel’s employees from departments which deal with heavy electricity usage.

The Green Forum, aimed at spreading environmental wisdom for a greener future, focused onelectricity preservation, at home and work. Hence, the interactive seminar was one which educated employees on the importance of energy conservation and how it impacts them on a personal and domestic level.

Guest speaker Kamal Elleperuma, the Chief Engineering Officer of the Ceylon Electricity Board, spoke of energy, the environment and development, stating it our responsibility to be aware and conscious of energy consumption.

He lamented that our planet is gravely endangered by the current situation, noting a dangerous trend the worsening energy crisis. He elucidated a firm relationship between energy and development, warning that failure to go green will hamper growth.

According to Elleperuma, the CEB has provided electricity for 94% of the country’s households, with only 6% remaining to achieve complete electrification, putting Sri Lanka in on a regional high.

He added that since Sri Lanka relies on water generated electricity, which is also needed for irrigation and drinking water, we have a dearth. “In this light, we all have a duty towards ourselves, our country and our world to preserve electricity and energy.”

He detailed energy functions, including elaborations on electrical units in bills and usage categories, while dispensing practical advice on saving energy. He emphasised the importance of using energy efficient equipment and infrastructure, such as LED lighting. He assured that though the capital cost is high, the long-term benefits are worth it. This furnished Cinnamon Grand employees with awareness, knowledge and useful tips.

Elleperuma spoke of a global energy consumption benchmark set by the world’s most efficient hotels, while commending the Cinnamon Grand engineering team for working towards reaching those standards. He confirmed that he personally examined Cinnamon Grand procedures during the inspection for the National Energy Savings Award and was impressed by the hotel’s dedication towards going green.

Head of the Green Team and Manager of Marketing Communications and Sustainability at Cinnamon Grand Tharika Goonathilake said: “Energy efficiency is the cheapest way of cutting bills and carbon emissions. It has to be right at the heart of what we do. That is why, as part of our vision we are trying to create awareness as to how energy efficiency can save money, offset carbon and give us green opportunities to grow the business, in keeping with the goals of sustainability.”

Cinnamon Grand recently was the recipient of the National Energy Savings Award by the National Energy Savings Authority, making it the only city hotel in Sri Lanka to ever receive an accolade of that nature. It also is the first Sri Lankan hotel with uninterrupted ISO implementation since March 2006, while also boasting ISO 14001 for environmental management systems.