How Minergy Helps Hotels Save Costs with Solar Energy Solutions
The hospitality industry is undergoing a significant transformation, with sustainability at its core. Driving this shift is Minergy, a company specializing in green energy solutions for hotels, resorts, and campsites.
We spoke with Tomislav Benković, CFO of Minergy, to discuss the company’s journey, the challenges and opportunities in adopting renewable energy in hospitality, and the future of energy management.
Your career has been deeply rooted in green energy solutions. What inspired you to focus on sustainable energy, and how has Minergy evolved over the years to become a leader in this space, particularly for the hospitality industry?
My journey into sustainable energy began with a passion for creating solutions that not only address climate change but also offer economic benefits. Early in my career, I recognized the potential for renewable energy to transform industries, particularly those with high energy demands, such as hospitality. Minergy started with a simple goal: to help businesses reduce their environmental impact while cutting operational costs.
Over the years, we’ve tailored our approach to meet the unique needs of the hospitality sector, offering end-to-end solutions - from feasibility studies to installation and ongoing energy management. This focus, combined with technological innovation, has helped us become a trusted partner for hotels, resorts, and campsites.
In the current market, many hoteliers are exploring the potential of solar energy. What are the biggest challenges you see in convincing hotels and tourism businesses to embrace renewable energy solutions, and how does Minergy address those concerns?
The primary challenges include upfront costs and a lack of understanding about the long-term benefits. Hotel operators often fear that the transition will disrupt operations or won’t deliver the promised savings.
To address these concerns, Minergy focuses on:
Customized Solutions: We design systems tailored to the specific energy needs and financial constraints of each client.
Transparent ROI Models: We provide clear projections of savings and payback periods, backed by case studies.
Operational Support: Our team handles the entire process - from permits to post-installation maintenance—minimizing disruption.
With new trends emerging in both sustainability and hospitality, how do you see the future of energy management for hotels and resorts? What innovations can we expect from Minergy to support this shift?
The future of energy management in hospitality lies in intelligent systems that integrate multiple renewable sources and energy storage. Hotels will increasingly adopt microgrids, combining solar panels, batteries, and energy management software to achieve near self-sufficiency.
Minergy is already investing in these trends by:
Energy Storage Solutions: Pairing solar installations with batteries to maximize energy independence.
Smart Energy Platforms: Systems that monitor and optimize energy usage in real-time, reducing waste.
Modularity of solutions: Offering modular solutions that can be easily adapted to existing and future properties.
Do you feel that decision makers in the hospitality industry are generally well-informed about the benefits of solar-powered energy?
Awareness is growing, but there’s still a knowledge gap. Many decision-makers understand the importance of investing in solar powered energy but may lack detailed insight into how solar energy translates into cost savings and brand value. This is where education plays a crucial role.
At Minergy, we prioritize hosting workshops, offering detailed reports, and providing one-on-one consultations to empower stakeholders with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions.
There is a lot of talk about sustainability in the hospitality industry nowadays, do you actually see hotels in Croatia turning toward solar-powered energy and making the best use of it? Who is choosing to go green in this industry in Croatia – private owners, big hotel chains, campsites?
Yes, we are seeing significant momentum in Croatia, driven by both government incentives and the competitive edge that sustainability offers. Private owners are often the early adopters, as they can act more agilely in making decisions.
However, large hotel chains are increasingly incorporating solar energy into their sustainability strategies to meet corporate ESG goals and appeal to environmentally conscious guests.
The challenge for all of them is navigating the regulatory environment and financing options, areas where Minergy provides critical support.
Sustainability often comes down to numbers for hotel operators. From your experience, what does the ROI typically look like for hotels that invest in solar energy?
The ROI for solar installations in hospitality typically ranges between 4 - 7 years, depending on the scale of the system, object location and local incentives.
Beyond the financial returns, hotels benefit from enhanced energy security, reduced exposure to volatile electricity prices, and a strengthened reputation for sustainability.