Hydropower in Your Hotel Room: Tracing Our 100% Green Electricity from South Tyrol’s Dams
What if every time you turned on a light, you knew it was powered by clean mountain water? At Classic Hotel am Stetteneck, the electricity behind your stay is 100% green and sourced from South Tyrol. In a region that generates over 7,500 GWh of clean electricity annually from more than 30 hydropower plants, our hotel exclusively uses regional Green Energy—so your room, your breakfast lighting, and your evening read are all powered by South Tyrol’s hydropower.
The quick answer
- Yes, our hotel’s electricity is 100% green and sourced from South Tyrol.
- South Tyrol produces more than 7,500 GWh of clean power each year from over 30 hydropower plants.
- We use only regional Green Energy; for heat, we use methane gas while actively minimizing consumption.
Where our green electricity comes from
South Tyrol is an Alpine region shaped by rivers, reservoirs, and high mountain catchments—ideal conditions for hydropower. More than 30 hydropower plants here generate over 7,500 GWh of clean electricity each year. We choose to run the hotel exclusively on regional Green Energy, aligning your stay with the power of local water.
Hydropower at a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | South Tyrol |
| Generation | Over 30 hydropower plants |
| Annual output | More than 7,500 GWh (clean electricity) |
| Hotel electricity | Exclusively regional Green Energy |
How hydropower reaches your room
Electricity flows through a shared grid, but its environmental impact is determined by how it’s generated and what supply a property procures. By sourcing regional Green Energy, we ensure that the amount of electricity we use is matched by clean power produced locally. In practice, that means the energy demand from your room is balanced by hydropower feeding the South Tyrolean grid.
Grid basics (in simple terms)
- Power from multiple plants enters the grid at once.
- When a property commits to regional Green Energy, its consumption is covered by renewable generation from that region.
- The electrons in your socket are indistinguishable, but the environmental accounting—and the real turbines spinning in South Tyrol—make the difference.
What 100% green electricity means during your stay
When you plug in, switch on, or take the lift, you’re drawing on regional Green Energy. This choice reduces the carbon footprint of everyday hotel operations and connects your stay to local, renewable resources.
- Lighting, appliances, and shared-area power draw are covered by regional Green Energy.
- Elevators and common-area services run on electricity backed by South Tyrol’s hydropower.
- If you drive an electric car, charging stations are available in the nearby public garage, so you can top up while staying in the pedestrian heart of Ortisei.
Beyond electricity: reducing energy and travel emissions
Electricity is only one part of a hotel’s energy profile. For heat, we use methane gas—and we work to minimize consumption through concrete measures that make a difference over time.
Smarter use of heat
- Each guest room radiator has its own regulator, so you can set your preferred temperature without wasting energy.
Car-free convenience built in
Choosing not to drive is one of the most effective ways to lower travel emissions. We make that choice easier:
- Every guest receives the South Tyrol MobilCard, included in the room price, granting access to all public transportation in South Tyrol. As a member establishment, we contribute a fixed fee per overnight stay to support the local network.
- We help you arrive car-free: our team gladly advises on train, plane, or long-distance bus connections to Ortisei and organizes luggage transport and local shuttle services for rail arrivals.
- Prefer two wheels? Enjoy discounted e-bike rental in collaboration with the MTB School in Ortisei, and explore Val Gardena the low-impact way.
Recognitions that keep us accountable
We’re proud that our approach to sustainability has been acknowledged by both global and regional programs:
- GSTC® Certificate
- IDM Sustainability Label South Tyrol, Level Three (the highest level, based on GSTC criteria)
These recognitions reflect a broader commitment: balancing ecological, social, and economic goals through many small, thoughtful improvements.
Why regional sourcing matters
Using electricity from within South Tyrol supports the local energy transition and keeps benefits close to home. Hydropower is a renewable resource aligned with the region’s landscape and history, and tapping into it for hotel operations helps:
- Align visitor experiences with local sustainability goals
- Reinforce community-wide investment in clean energy
- Encourage car-free, low-impact travel options that our destination is built to support
Sustainable hospitality you can taste and experience
Sustainability is present in our cuisine and activities, too—because what you eat and do also shape your footprint.
- We emphasize fresh, seasonal cuisine and prioritize regional products such as farm-pressed apple juice, South Tyrolean wines, and organic South Tyrolean milk.
- To reduce food waste, we collect dinner choices in the morning so the kitchen can prepare exact portions.
- Free fresh water is available at every table.
- Activities are organized exclusively in Val Gardena, with guided hikes and snowshoe tours designed to avoid crowded hotspots.
- We do not offer packed lunches for hikes; instead, we encourage visits to managed huts and alpine pastures.
- We organize only Green Events, using real napkins, glasses, plates, and more.
Planning a summer escape? See ideas on our official page: Summer holidays in Val Gardena.
If you’re a rider, our Bike Special adds practical perks: free rental of standard mountain bikes, preferential rates for e-bikes and full-suspension bikes, guided MTB tours with a certified instructor from the MTB School St. Ulrich, a video-monitored bike room with wash station and e-bike charging, laundry service for bike clothing, and information on marquee events like Sellaronda Bike Day and the HERO Dolomites marathon.
Practical takeaways to make your stay even greener
Small choices add up. Here are easy wins that fit right into your trip:
- Travel car-free where possible.
- Use your included South Tyrol MobilCard on buses and trains.
- Ask us for tailored rail and long-distance bus advice to Ortisei; we’ll help with luggage transport and local shuttles.
- Go electric on two wheels.
- Opt for our discounted e-bike rentals via the MTB School in Ortisei and explore routes with minimal impact.
- Right-size your room temperature.
- Adjust your in-room radiator regulator to what you truly need.
- Help us cut food waste.
- Pre-select dinner in the morning so the kitchen can cook just the right amount.
- Refill and sip local.
- Enjoy free fresh water at your table and choose regional products that support South Tyrolean producers.
- Hike with a lighter footprint.
- Join our complimentary hiking guide and stop at managed huts instead of carrying a packed lunch.
- Charge smart.
- If you arrive by EV, use the charging stations in the nearby public garage while you enjoy Ortisei’s pedestrian center.
Frequently asked questions
Is the hotel’s electricity really 100% green?
Yes. We exclusively use regional Green Energy. South Tyrol generates more than 7,500 GWh of clean electricity annually from over 30 hydropower plants, and our supply is sourced from this regional system.
Do you still use fossil fuels?
For heat, we use methane gas while taking multiple measures to minimize overall consumption. Guests can regulate room temperature individually at each radiator.
How do you support car-free travel?
We provide the South Tyrol MobilCard to all guests (included in the room price), advise on rail, air, and long-distance bus arrivals, and organize luggage transport and shuttles for train travelers.
Can I charge my electric car?
Yes. Charging stations for electric cars are available in the nearby public garage.
Conclusion: Let the mountains power your getaway
At Classic Hotel am Stetteneck, your stay is energized by South Tyrol’s hydropower and supported by a wider set of choices—from local sourcing to car-free mobility—that reduce impact without sacrificing comfort. It’s sustainability you can see, taste, and feel, from your bedside lamp to your next adventure on the trails.
Ready to plan an energy-positive escape? Book your stay, ask us about car-free arrival, and discover how good green can feel. Contact us at info@stetteneck.com or +39 0471 796563.