Not far from Queenstown in New Zealand, a 6-hectare (15-acre) cherry orchard called Forest Lodge Orchard has electrified operations to significantly reduce its greenhouse gas footprint. It has eliminated the need for fossil fuels to run the tractor, vehicles, chainsaws, irrigation and frost-fighting system.
By eliminating fossil fuels, the orchard saves more than NZ $50,000 per year in operating costs while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Owner Mike Casey estimates that configuring the farm to run from electricity initially costs about NZ $600,000 more than developing a diesel-powered setup.
The orchard consumes about 100 megawatt-hours of power per year, primarily from renewable sources, to grow and harvest cherries from 9,300 trees. After four years of working to free the farm of fossil fuels, it is home to New Zealand’s first electric frost-fighting fans, electric vehicles, electric tools and more. About 40% of the orchard’s power is drawn from a 45-kilowatt solar array. The remainder is taken from New Zealand's highly renewable energy grid.
•
•
•
4 w
Dear Destination Think Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to Queenstown New Zealand by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
•
•
4 w
This is a great move that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. This approach supports environmental sustainability and will enhance operational efficiency in agriculture.
•
•
5 w
Switching to electric means ditching fossil fuels, reducing monthly costs, and investing in a future-proof solution.
•
•
5 w
This is remarkable !
•
•
5 w
New Zealand is making significant strides in sustainability
•
•
5 w
This farm should be used an example to raise awareness and motivate other farmers to shift to clean energy.