In an innovative move towards year-round berry production, the Summer Berry Company has implemented a sustainable energy solution at its greenhouse in West Sussex. By partnering with Ebtech Energy Systems, the company aims to revolutionize the UK berry industry while prioritizing sustainability.
The company’s investments in renewable energy infrastructure, including CHP, heat pumps and LED lighting, allow them to extend the strawberry harvest season from March to November to a full twelve months. This initiative not only ensures a stable supply of high-quality strawberries to the domestic market, but also significantly reduces carbon emissions.
Similar efforts by Dyson Farming in 2021 paved the way for extended harvest seasons in the UK. Using renewable electricity and heat from an anaerobic digester greenhouse, Dyson Farming increased strawberry production to 42 weeks, demonstrating the viability of sustainable energy solutions in agriculture.
Using CHP allows The Summer Berry Company to generate its own electricity, powering both LED lighting and heat pumps, while storing excess heat and CO2 for crop production. In addition, a 2 million liter thermal storage tank further replaces gas boiler heating and eases energy supply, contributing to a projected 20% reduction in CO2 emissions.
CEO David Sanclement emphasizes that this investment marks just the beginning of a broader sustainability initiative. The facility’s “hydrogen-ready” design looks forward to future advances in energy technology, reflecting the company’s commitment to ongoing innovation and environmental stewardship.
By supplying locally grown strawberries all year round, The Summer Berry Company not only meets consumer demand, but also reduces dependence on imported produce, thereby minimizing its environmental impact and supporting the UK’s agricultural economy.
