A tech tycoon’s megayacht arrives in Spain: it consumes the same amount of electricity per day as 580 American households

When Sergey Brin’s megayacht Dragonfly slipped into the port of Málaga, even seasoned harbor officials paused. The vessel—one of the largest and most technologically complex private yachts ever built—quietly became the most expensive yacht ever to berth in the Spanish city.

But it wasn’t the size alone that stunned the industry. It was the energy bill.

A floating giant with a power budget to match

Dragonfly stretches 142 meters (465 feet) and weighs more than 9,400 tons, placing it among the world’s most elite superyachts.

Built for roughly $450 million, the yacht houses what its designers describe as a self-contained oceanic ecosystem. Even when its engines shut down, the vessel automatically switches to what’s known as “hotel load”—the power required to keep its onboard environment running.

That includes HVAC systems, lighting, galleys, laundries, elevators, spa complexes, stabilization hydraulics, massive pools, and its advanced audiovisual network.

The hidden energy hog: HVAC

Industry engineers point to one major culprit behind Dragonfly’s staggering consumption: its HVAC system.

Keeping temperature and humidity stable in a ship this large requires enormous amounts of power. Experts say its HVAC demand surpasses even the lighting, water-treatment systems, and high-capacity kitchens.

How much power does it really consume?

Most superyachts burn through 300 to 1,000 kilowatts depending on weather, guest activity, and onboard services.

Dragonfly is in another league.

The vessel consumes 16,800 kilowatt-hours per day—the energy equivalent of 580 average U.S. homes.

The daily cost: over $9,700 just for electricity

The port’s tariff structure makes the math even more eye-opening.

If a yacht uses 7,200 kWh/day, the cost runs between around $1,900 and €4,160.

But Dragonfly more than doubles that usage.

Its daily electricity bill in Málaga ranges between €4,470 and €9,720 — just to keep hotel systems running.

And this number doesn’t include:

• crew salaries
• maintenance
• provisioning
• fuel

Together, those can exceed $30 million per year.

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