IHCL Taj Hotel facade
Sustainable Cooling

TechEmerge Sustainable Cooling Hospitality India

assess
source
select
match
pilot
scale
Project started
Nov, 2020
Open Call Deadline
Mar, 2021
Finalists announced
Jun, 2021
Matchmaking sessions
Jul, 2021
Pilots started
Jan, 2022

In partnership with:

  • uk aid logo
  • ihcl logo
  • chalet logo

As part of its mission to tackle some of the world’s most critical development challenges, TechEmerge is accelerating the adoption of sustainable cooling technologies and business models in the hospitality sector.

In partnership with Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), a leading hospitality group with a global footprint that includes the Taj brand, TechEmerge launched a program to bring affordable, efficient, climate-smart cooling innovations where they are needed most, while building commercial relationships in India and beyond.

The program has now expanded to include another top Indian hospitability company, Chalet Hotels Group, part of the K. Raheja Corporation.

Market Context

$16.8 bn

Hospitality sector expected market size by 2025 from $7.5 bn in 2019

~50%

Of IHCL energy use goes to cooling, in line with hotels in similar climates

India has one of the world’s fastest-growing cooling markets. Its hospitality sector is also expected to expand from US$7.5 billion in 2019 to US$16.8 billion by 2025. This growth coupled with a warm climate offers significant opportunities to pilot and scale sustainable cooling solutions.

Of all building types, hotels have the highest average energy intensity, meaning they consume more energy per built area than office complexes, hospitals, homes, and other developments. In IHCL’s case, cooling represents almost 50 percent of its total energy use, in line with many hotels operating in similar climates.

IHCL and Chalet are particularly interested in energy-efficient space cooling solutions that ensure guest comfort while mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, as well as solutions for kitchens, laundries, and other back-of-house spaces.

Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL) plays a leading role in India’s hospitality sector and has a global footprint that includes the high-profile Taj brand. It is South Asia’s largest hospitality company by market capitalization and has a portfolio of 196 hotels across four continents and twelve countries.

IHCL is building on its strong history of supporting sustainability, by partnering with TechEmerge to pilot and scale energy-efficient, climate-smart cooling innovations across its business.

Chalet Hotels Group is an owner, developer, and asset manager of hotels and serviced apartments in key metro cities of India such as Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru, and has also developed commercial spaces in proximity to its hotels.  Sustainability is entrenched in Chalet’s business philosophy and integrated into the plans, from the design initiation stage of projects and through their life-cycle.

Competitively selected from a field of more than 40 applicants from 11 countries, our innovators offer affordable, energy-efficient, climate-smart cooling solutions for the hospitality market and more.

Nine cooling pilots are underway at IHCL properties and seven more at Chalet hotels. These aim to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions without compromising the functionality and comfort of public areas, guest rooms, banquet halls, kitchens, laundries, and other spaces.