Sustainability


This will enable us to store excess energy generated during daylight hours to use during the evening and at night.


You mentioned using this hotel as a blueprint. Are there specific locations already selected for your next net- zero projects? We are actively exploring additional locations for the development of new net-zero-carbon hotels, using the voco Zeal Exeter Science Park as the blueprint. In addition to our own expansion plans, we are also collaborating with other developers, both in the UK and internationally, who are seeking to design and build net-zero hotels.


How scalable is this model, and what lessons from Exeter will inform future builds?


Above: A combination of low-energy design and high on-site renewable generation.


voco Zeal Exeter Science Park offsets the production of 202 tonnes of CO2


while also delivering


substantial operational cost reductions. These outcomes not only strengthen the business case for sustainable development in hospitality but also send a powerful message to other energy-intensive sectors: that investing in net zero isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s also commercially smart.


Our hope is that this project will inspire others to take bold steps towards net zero, knowing that the returns can be both meaningful and measurable.


The solar facade is forecast to generate more energy than the hotel uses. How do you plan to manage that surplus energy in the long term? It’s early days, but we are encouraged by the amount of energy the solar panels generate. We are looking at installing a battery storage facility on site.


What’s the status of your plans to add on-site battery storage to optimise your energy use? Currently, any surplus solar energy generated during the day is exported to the grid. Looking ahead, we plan to integrate an on-site battery storage system.


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The model we’ve developed is designed to be highly scalable. From the outset, this project was intended as a blueprint for future net-zero hotels – both for Zeal Hotels and for others in the industry looking to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on guest experience or commercial performance. One of the key lessons from Exeter is the importance of integrating sustainability into the design process from day one. This allowed us to optimise building orientation, construction materials, and energy systems to work together seamlessly. It also highlighted the value of selecting the right technology partners early on to overcome design challenges, such as limited rooftop space, and to ensure systems deliver both efficiency and safety at scale.


As we plan future developments, we’ll continue to refine and replicate what worked in Exeter, especially the combination of low-energy design and high on-site renewable generation. We’re also exploring on-site battery storage as the next step in achieving even greater energy independence and resilience. Ultimately, the success of this project shows that net-zero hotels are not only achievable but also repeatable, laying the foundation for broader adoption across the hospitality sector and beyond.


What do you hope this project signals to the wider hospitality industry about the future of hotel development? We believe this project signals that sustainable, net- zero-carbon hotel development is not only achievable but also commercially viable. It shows the hospitality industry that environmental responsibility can be a core part of hotel design without sacrificing guest experience or profitability. By showcasing how energy efficiency, renewable technologies and innovative design can work together, we hope it will inspire widespread adoption of greener practices that will help redefine the future of hospitality. ●


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Zeal Hotels


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