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- Facilities
Facilities
Environment and Sustainability
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is proud to be part of The Schwartz Family Company (SFC), the largest private investor in hotels and resorts in Australia. As a socially responsible organisation, SFC prioritises reducing its energy footprint across its portfolio, with a particular focus on Rydges Resort Hunter Valley due to its considerable energy requirements.
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has implemented a range of energy-saving initiatives, including:
- LED lighting upgrades implemented across key areas to reduce electricity consumption.
- Installation of Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) to optimise motor performance and energy use.
- Deployment of energy-efficient pumps and motors to improve operational efficiency.
- Upgraded chillers with high-efficiency models to reduce cooling-related energy demand.
- Multiple solar installations ranging from 30kW to 100kW, supporting on-site renewable energy generation.
In addition to these initiatives, the resort has taken a significant step forward with its commitment to renewable energy. The resort currently operates a 5MW solar farm (Farm 1), and an additional 5MW solar farm is set to become fully operational in April 2024. These projects have successfully minimised utility costs, reduced emissions, and lowered the resort’s overall carbon footprint.
SFC Practices Overview
VIST WEBSITESchwartz Family Company prioritises reducing its energy footprint across its portfolio, with a particular focus on Rydges Resort Hunter Valley due to its substantial energy requirements.
Environmental and Sustainability Practices
Sustainable Children’s Water Park
At Rydges Resort Hunter Valley, sustainability meets fun in our new Children’s Water Park, powered entirely by renewable energy.
- 100% Solar Heating: A high-efficiency electric heat pump, driven by rooftop solar panels, keeps the water warm during the day.
- Smart Energy Systems: Adaptive technology maximises efficiency and minimises waste.
- Zero Gas Heating: Waste heat from our cogeneration unit warms the main pool by day; the solar-powered heat pump takes over at night.
This innovative project reflects Schwartz Family Company’s commitment to sustainable tourism — delivering an eco-friendly experience for families.
Solar Farm No. 1 (5MW)
Rydges Resort Hunter Valley is home to a pioneering 5MW solar farm — a first-of-its-kind initiative in the Southern Hemisphere and potentially the global hospitality industry. Developed in partnership with the Schwartz Family Company, the project significantly reduces the resort’s carbon footprint and enhances long-term energy sustainability.
Spanning over 70,000m² (17.29 acres/7 hectares), the farm features 13,350 high-efficiency solar modules with advanced PERC split-cell technology. Two MV power stations and cutting-edge inverter systems enable the farm to generate up to 5MW of power — five times the resort’s current energy load.
Solar Farm No. 2 (5MW)
Following the success of Solar Farm No. 1, Rydges Resort Hunter Valley has completed the installation of Solar Farm No. 2, which is now in its final stages of grid connection. Located at 127 Wills Hill Road, adjacent to the first solar farm, this new 5MW AC / 6.5MW DC facility has been strategically positioned to further strengthen the resort’s energy sustainability.
100% Renewable Green Power & Electric Vehicle Sustainable Charging Stations
We were proud to be the first in Australia’s hotel industry to install EV charging stations, starting with three and now expanded to five. These Ocular stations use advanced analytics to track energy use, revenue, and user behaviour across time and locations — all powered by 100% renewable energy. Our commitment extends beyond EVs: our golf buggy fleet is fully rechargeable and powered by green energy, and we’ve recently upgraded to a larger, more efficient rechargeable trackless train. These initiatives reflect our broader commitment to sustainability and 100% renewable power.
Hotel Rooftop Solar Panels
A high-efficiency electric heat pump, powered by rooftop solar panels, provides daytime heating for both the main resort pool and the children’s water park — delivering warmth using 100% renewable energy.
Brewery Rooftop Solar Panels
Rooftop solar panels installed on our onsite Sydney Brewery and bottling plant power its operations entirely with renewable energy — supporting both production and sustainability goals.
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