To assess the potential benefits of climate-friendly cooling, a pilot project was implemented at the True Blue Bay Resort in Grenada, comparing conventional R410A air-conditioning units with highly efficient R290 (propane-based) units. The pilot demonstrates the technical, economic, and climate benefits of transitioning to energy-efficient air-conditioning systems using ultra-low-GWP refrigerants.
Rising temperatures, increasing energy demand, and reliance on imported fossil fuels present significant challenges to sustainable development. Cooling plays a central role in this context. Grenada’s humid tropical climate creates a continuous demand for air conditioning (AC) in homes, businesses, and public buildings, a demand that is particularly pronounced in the tourism sector, which is a cornerstone of the national economy. At the same time, Grenada has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2010 levels by 2025, as outlined in its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). Improving the energy efficiency and climate performance of cooling technologies therefore represents a key opportunity for both emissions reduction and cost savings.
Energy and Emission Savings
As part of the pilot project, six new unitary air conditioners (UACs) using R290 were installed at the True Blue Bay Resort, replacing existing R410A units. The pre-existing R410A units recorded an estimated annual electricity consumption of 4,721 kWh, compared to 3,500 kWh per year for the R290 units. This corresponds to an energy reduction of approximately 26%.
Direct emissions from refrigerant leakage further strengthen the case for R290. When both energy-related and refrigerant-related emissions are considered, total emissions reductions exceed 10.5 t CO₂e per unit, representing an overall reduction of nearly 28%.
Financial Savings
From a cost perspective, assuming a grid electricity price of XCD 1 per kWh (approximately USD 0.36), an R410A unit costs around XCD 1,222 (USD 440) more per year to operate than an R290 unit. Over the lifetime of the unit, this difference increases to approximately XCD 14,658 (USD 5,277), far outweighing the higher upfront purchase cost. Importantly, Grenada’s existing government incentive scheme further reduces this barrier by supporting the purchase of R290 units at prices comparable to conventional technologies.
In energy-intensive buildings such as hotels—where cooling can account for 70–80% of total electricity demand—a 35% improvement in cooling efficiency could reduce annual electricity consumption by an estimated 150,000–170,000 kWh, translating into annual savings of XCD 150,000–170,000 (USD 54,000–62,000).
Considering the savings both at the point of purchase and over the lifetime of the equipment, the economic case is clear. Scaling up the deployment of R290 systems in high-demand sectors such as hotels, government buildings, schools, and hospitals therefore offers not only a significant opportunity to reduce energy consumption and lower emissions, but also a solution that is economically attractive and financially viable.
The pilot is part of the project Cool Contributions fighting Climate Change C4 II which was implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV) as part of the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
