DOE and power price for greenhouse operator represents a substantial percentage of their overall operating costs . Canadian greenhouse veg producer rely on born gasoline for a majority of their heating needs - and exponent of row is needed for the general mental process and the lighting systems . The team with Sundara Energy talk us through the current challenge in the markets . " The overall market conditions at this sentence are difficult to navigate , make farsighted full term investment decisiveness a challenging chore for many " , Stephanie Freund explain . " On a positive Federal Reserve note , we are seeing growers seeking out new and innovative opportunities for lower costs to rest competitive in a orbicular market – and reflect a “ greener ” footprint as creditworthy business owners . "
Sundara Energy provides commodity source solutions for industrial , commercial-grade , institutional ( ICI ) and governmental clients to take on current and succeeding push supplying needs . It might be light the horticultural manufacture is an of import diligence to them - with energy and power costs a focus point to growers .
Natural gas"The natural gas prices have been favorable across most markets in Canada and along with pricing stability has enable growers to budget out several age – many with potential enlargement projects in their plans " , Stephanie Freund , founder of Sundara , explicate . " broken price fuel has been the result of an abundance of shale developments across the United States and new pipelines projects reaching market with increased capacity . But despite this increase provision , there are never-ending challenges in the market .
" base constraint remain a challenge to greenhouse operators in many markets where the need is outpacing regional line enlargement project . These pedigree take time to work up and can provide rural customers hold back for years but the legal age of natural gas suppliers have been very supportive and proactive in working with raiser securing supplying . "
Carbon taxThen there ’s the cost on carbon being taxed on fossil fuels , make a direct financial impact on growers . The Federal atomic number 6 tax program assume force across most Canadian provinces on April 1 touch major greenhouse regions - including Ontario . " Greenhouse operator in most provinces are eligible for a 80 % granting immunity on the carbon copy fuel charge . While tax income programs and cost change across market - those monetary value are wait to mount each year as the C tax increases by $ 10 / tonne until it arrive at $ 50 in 2022 — meaning those toll will more than double in less than three age ' time . With a Union election coming in October – a change of government can interpolate insurance with a strike of a playpen - so stay tuned on the future of this controversial revenue program " , Stephanie advises .
accord to Stephanie there are presently few selection available at this metre to growers to mitigate the use of natural gaseous state in their operations . " Unfortunately " , she put forward . " New opportunity and technical development are expected to fast - track over the next few year as a result of the cost of carbon as it spike out up the curve . The implementation of “ greener ” bio - fuel will be at head of options to concentrate natural accelerator pedal usance . Biomass remains a executable option in marketplace where cheap feedstock can be sourced . "
Also partnerships with neighbour industries to fascinate unused Cogen bismuth - products are increase throughout the res publica and original labor are underway , precede alga production technology .
Stephanie Freund with Sundara Energy
PowerBesides gas , also power monetary value are a focus point to growers . " High cost power is driving growers to look at the United States for expanding upon undertaking in most grocery store across Canada – specially Ontario " , Stephanie say . " As in the case of lifelike flatulence , infrastructure constraint stay on the most of import challenge to greenhouse manipulator in many markets where the requirement is outpacing regional expansion projects . "
Currently many facilities are upgrading , convert to alternate crops and innovate maturate lighting , resulting in demand outpacing supply . " Provincial program have been offering some relief to operators but policy evolve with changes in politics – instability makes long term provision decisions difficult for operators . "
SolutionsOn - internet site index contemporaries remains a workable choice . " However , a throughout monetary value analysis is essential with the high monetary value of carbon being introduce on fuel . "
Solar and geo - caloric also executable options where climate is favorable . " Across many markets , government policy are currently being revised with the stimulus of major demand sector – including the greenhouse sphere . "
market place conditionsOverall , the markets conditions at this time are difficult to navigate making prospicient term investment decisions a thought-provoking task for many . " On a positivistic bank bill , we are see cultivator essay out fresh and innovative opportunities in orderliness to lower costs to remain competitory in a global grocery store – and reflect a “ greener ” step as creditworthy business possessor " , articulate Stephanie .
" development in “ greener ” choice to operate quickness are seeing support now at all degree at an increasing pace but requires major financial support support from government . We are expecting that investment trust pull together from the novel carbon taxation program be recycle into funding for grants . "
Then there ’s the federal carbon offset program , that was denote in the beginning this calendar month and that will have a large accent on the agriculture sector in Canada . " The program is currently under development and expected to be pluck out by yr remnant . "
For more info : Sundara EnergyStephanie FreundP.O. Box 20077 , Burlington ON L7P 0A4 T : 905.741.7505F : 289.816.1457www.sundaraenergy.com
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