Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), the hospitality arm of Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), has signed a landmark power supply agreement (PSA) with Skye Renewables to transition several of its hotels to renewable energy. This collaboration marks a milestone in RHR’s ongoing sustainability efforts, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint through the use of solar power.
The agreement was formalized at a ceremony held at Midtown Hall in Robinsons Cyberscape Alpha, with RHR senior vice president and business unit general manager, Barun Jolly, underscoring the company’s long-term sustainability vision. “At Robinsons Land Corporation, sustainability is at the core of our ethos, and Robinsons Hotels and Resorts is aligning with this vision by reducing our reliance on non-renewable energy,” Jolly said.
Under the partnership, three of RHR’s hotels—Summit Hotel Naga, Go Hotels Plus Naga, and Grand Summit General Santos—will be the first to adopt solar energy, with rooftop solar systems incorporating a cutting-edge building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) system. This is a key element of RHR’s broader sustainability strategy, which aims to derive 10 percent of its energy from renewable sources.
Jolly highlighted the thorough process involved in selecting Skye Renewables as the right partner for this initiative. “We evaluated several companies, but Skye’s expertise, agility, and commitment made them stand out,” he explained. Skye Renewables’ comprehensive approach, which included shadow mapping and output utilization studies, was crucial in ensuring the project’s success.
Skye’s dedication to addressing RHR’s specific needs also played a key role in the decision. “Solar projects are not just about sustainability—they are an economic investment. Skye addressed our concerns about the impact on our assets and provided practical, long-term solutions,” Jolly added.
The shift to renewable energy is expected to make a substantial environmental impact. According to Lucky Jay Damaso, corporate energy head of RLC, the solar installations at the Naga and General Santos hotels alone will reduce the hotels’ carbon emissions by 10% to 15%. “These installations will generate approximately 460,000 kWh of renewable energy annually and avoid over 326 metric tons of CO2 emissions—equivalent to planting 5,314 trees,” Damaso explained.
In addition to its solar initiative, RHR is implementing other sustainability measures, including replacing single-use plastics with bulk dispensers and switching to glass bottles for water across its international brands. “These steps are part of our broader mission to reduce plastic waste and improve sustainability,” said Annalyn Yap, vice president of Robinsons Hotels and Resorts.
With 26 company-owned hotels across the Philippines, RHR has ambitious plans to expand its solar energy initiative. “This partnership is just the beginning,” Jolly stated. “If successful, we plan to extend the solar installation to more hotels in our portfolio, including new properties slated to open soon.”
Skye Renewables’ head of Philippines, Gary Espino, expressed his excitement about the partnership, noting that it aligns with Skye’s mission to provide affordable, clean energy across Southeast Asia. “We are proud to collaborate with RHR, a leading hospitality brand in the Philippines. This project is a major step toward a sustainable future,” Espino said.
For RHR’s leadership, sustainability is more than just a corporate goal; it’s a responsibility. “We understand the role we play in the communities where we operate and the importance of taking care of the planet,” said Yap. Jolly echoed this sentiment, adding, “As one of the largest hotel operators in the country, we see it as our duty to lead the hospitality industry in sustainable practices.”
With this partnership, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts and Skye Renewables are setting a new benchmark for sustainability in the hospitality sector, proving that businesses can be both environmentally responsible and economically successful. As the demand for greener practices continues to grow, this collaboration is a shining example of how partnerships can drive meaningful change.
