Starwood picks Sheraton Kauai for energy project
The Sheraton Kauai Resort will become one of the first properties in a chain-wide program launched by owner Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. to install energy-efficient backup diesel generators.
Starwood recently signed a $1.4 million contract with BluePoint Energy to install its EnviroGen Energy Modules at its Kauai resort. The contract has the aggregate potential for electricity billings of approximately $4.2 million over a 10-year period.
Starwood choose Kauai as the pilot for its contract with BluePoint because of the island's remote location and the age of the resort, said Keith Vieira, senior vice president for Starwood in Hawaii and French Polynesia.
"It's an older property so we needed to start there," Vieira said. "We'll continue installing other backup generators based on need and location."
BluePoint offers Starwood the opportunity to take greater control over its energy costs while ensuring the comfort of guests, said John Lembo, Senior Director of Energy for Starwood Hotel & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
"While the Hawaiian Island of Kauai is one of the most beautiful and remote places on earth, it presents special challenges with respect to accessing reliable and cost efficient energy," Lembo said. "We believe BluePoint's EnviroGen Energy Modules offer Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide an extremely efficient and reliable alternative to our power and energy needs."