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Tetiaroa : Installation of a deep-water SWAC for “The Brando” hotel

The Brando Hotel is the world’s first eco-resort hotel exclusively utilising deep-sea pumped air conditioning – a visionary concept attributed to the legendary actor Marlon Brando. Situated in a protected Pacific atoll facing significant environmental challenges, Brando envisioned an ecological energy system capable of fulfilling the island’s energy needs.

  • Location Tetiaroa, TAHITI

  • Solution Sustainable heating and cooling solutions

  • Key date 2011 - 2012

  • Customer PACIFIC BEACHCOMBER

When Richard Bailey, owner of InterContinental hotels in Polynesia, acquired the island, he embraced Brando’s renewable energy vision, leading to the implementation of what is now known as SWAC (Sea Water Air Conditioning).

Geocean was entrusted with constructing the deep-water SWAC system in French Polynesia, which is known for its harsh climatic conditions. The project demanded meticulous planning and precise execution.

This ambitious undertaking exemplifies Geocean’s engineering prowess and showcases our commitment to sustainable solutions that preserve marine biodiversity and reduce environmental footprint.

Engineering, procurement, construction and installation of a seawater air-conditioning system:

  • Offshore survey
  • 1 x PEHD PE100 DN450 intake pipe, approx. 2,580 m long, installed to a water depth of 960 m, sunk in the lagoon and motu zone for approx. 650 m, and for approx. 80 m in the ocean zone, then stabilised on or above the seabed with concrete weights and ballast chains
  • 1 x HDPE PE100 DN450 outfall pipe, approx. 750m long, installed to a water depth of 30 m, buried in the lagoon and motu zone for approx. 650m, and for approx. 80m in the ocean zone, then stabilised on the seabed with concrete weights.
  • Subsea work and connections to a water depth of 40m.
  • Performance tests and final inspections.