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Sands China Implements First Solar Thermal-Heat Pump Hybrid Energy Plant in Macao’s Hospitality and Integrated Resort Industry

(Macao, Apr. 28, 2020) – Sands China Ltd. is now operating the first solar thermal-heat pump hybrid energy plant in Macao’s hospitality and integrated resort industry at its Sands^® Cotai Central integrated resort. The energy-efficient plant generates both heating and cooling for 2,000 hotel rooms of the Sky Tower at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Strip, eliminating the need for a natural gas boiler. It is also the industry’s largest such energy plant in Southeast Asia.

Sands China’s move to further adopt renewable energy into its resort operations aligns with the company’s Sands ECO360 global sustainability strategy. This, along with other continuous eco-conscious efforts, helps the company take advantage of opportunities to reduce its environmental footprint, further improve energy efficiency and create a positive impact in the local community.

Using the latest technology, a 520 kilowatt capacity solar thermal coupled with an 800 kilowatt capacity high-temperature water source heat pump system generates enough hot water to meet the needs of the entire 2,000-room Sheraton Grand Sky Tower and its swimming pools, spa, and kitchens. The 222 solar thermal panels installed on the 15,000 square feet of roof space of the hotel tower will generate more than 500 megawatt hours of thermal energy annually, which is enough to power water heaters for 3,300 Macao households for one month.

The new hybrid heating and cooling system improves the existing plant efficiency by over 50 per cent, saves over 14,000 MMBTU of natural gas and reduces carbon emissions by 1,140 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MTCO2e) annually. The amount of natural gas saved is enough to supply over 34,000 Macao households for one month.

The successful completion of this pilot project in 2019 will lead to the scaling up such technologies for the entirety of Sands China’s resort operations in the near future, with an aim to eliminate gas boilers and improve the company’s overall energy efficiency. This strategic initiative aims to help the company achieve its carbon emission goals for 2020 and beyond, as well as aligning with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal No. 7 (SDG 7) on enabling affordable and clean energy.

“Sustainability, including energy and water efficiency, is part of Sands China’s operating DNA,” said Dr. Wilfred Wong, president of Sands China Ltd. “We are very excited about embracing renewable energy in our business operations wherever possible to mitigate impact from fossil fuel energy sources, and this aligns with our commitment to environmental leadership in the market and to building a sustainable future.”

Sands ECO360 is designed to utilise measures like energy saving, resource recycling, conservation and community engagement in order to help minimise the company’s environmental impact and lead the way in sustainable building development and resort operations. More information about the programme is available at www.sands.com/sands-eco-360/our-vision.html.

Sands China's recent environmental recognition includes its listing in the FTSE4Good Index, as well as its Hong Kong Business Sustainability Index 2018 certification from CUHK’s Centre for Business Sustainability.

Photo caption: Sands China Ltd. is now operating the first solar thermal-heat pump hybrid energy plant in Macao’s hospitality and integrated resort industry at its Sands® Cotai Central integrated resort.

Photo caption: The solar thermal-heat pump hybrid energy plant generates both heating and cooling for 2,000 hotel rooms of the Sky Tower at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, Cotai Strip, eliminating the need for a natural gas boiler.