RIU’s Green Commitment: Solar Panels and Clean Energy Self-Generation

23 July, 2026 Share

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After consolidating a historic investment last year, in 2026 at RIU we have taken a key step in our ecological transition by consolidating the installation of photovoltaic solar panels across 27% of our hotels globally. This firm commitment to energy self-consumption in destinations like Spain, Cape Verde, and the Maldives is part of Proudly Committed, our global sustainability strategy through which RIU drives a real transformation toward a more responsible and efficient tourism model.

Why are solar panels driving change at RIU?

At RIU, we understand that every ray of sunshine over our destinations is a great opportunity to directly reduce our carbon footprint. That is why, since 2020, we have continuously increased our investment in energy self-generation systems.

Designing smarter hotels is not just a corporate goal, but a tangible reality that we meticulously adapt according to the climate and location of each hotel, decisively betting on photovoltaic solar energy as a key pillar of our self-sufficiency.

In which RIU destinations is clean solar energy already being produced?

Thanks to the continuous geographic expansion of our self-generation strategy, in this year 2026 we have been able to consolidate photovoltaic production in key international markets, particularly highlighting the transition in island environments where solar radiation is optimal for self-consumption:

• Cape Verde, Mauritius, and the Maldives: These destinations are fully consolidated thanks to full self-generation production across their facilities—an achievement reached following the progressive launch of photovoltaic projects since 2024.
• Spain: Showing highly outstanding progress in optimizing energy resources, driven by successful renovations and solar installations carried out at Hotel Riu Palace La Mola (Formentera) and Hotel Riu Palace Calypso (Fuerteventura).
• Other key destinations: Countries such as Senegal, Morocco, Jamaica, and Tanzania complete the list of locations where our guests are already enjoying sustainably powered facilities and services.

What other measures do we implement to optimize our energy consumption?

Smart technology and design right from the planning stage

Our energy-saving strategy starts long before welcoming guests. From the planning phase of a new hotel or during comprehensive renovations of existing properties, we apply rigorous sustainability criteria:

• Comprehensive, low-consumption LED lighting across all hotels and corporate offices.
• Constant technological renewal, replacing appliances and machinery with certified high-efficiency equipment.
• Clean climate control systems using aerothermal and geothermal energy, offering thermal performance far superior to older systems.
• Automatic air conditioning shut-off in guest rooms as soon as open doors or windows are detected.
• Solar garden lighting and smart timer systems synchronized with natural daylight hours.

The transition to certified green energy

In addition to producing our own electricity, we strive to ensure that the remaining energy comes from guaranteed clean sources. In 2025, we reached a spectacular milestone: 90% of our global operation now uses electricity from certified renewable origins.

This reality is active across a total of 16 countries, including Canada, Cape Verde, Costa Rica, United Arab Emirates, United States, Spain, Ireland, Jamaica, Mauritius, Mexico, Panama, Portugal, United Kingdom, Dominican Republic, Senegal, and Sri Lanka.

Do you want to join our sustainable journey on your next getaway?

Through Proudly Committed, at RIU we want your dream vacation to leave no footprint on the planet. We invite you to discover our sustainable hotels and enjoy a unique stay where absolute comfort and care for the environment walk hand in hand. Book your responsible stay today and feel the energy of change with us!

Frequently Asked Questions about Solar Energy Use and Efficiency at RIU