A MASSIVE greenhouse farming development in western Victoria will now get even larger after the Victorian State Government announced funding for a wind power project that will power the farm.
Nectar Farms, which had previously announced plans for a 10 hectare greenhouse project at Stawell, this week announced it would start work on a $215 million, 30ha project at Bulgana, between Stawell and Ararat.
In what is believed to be a world first, the plans have been made possible by the Victorian Government’s development of a $350 million, 196 megawatt wind energy station neighbouring the greenhouse development at Bulgana.
It would make Nectar Farms’ Victorian projects the largest covered farm powered entirely by renewable energy in the world.
Nectar Farms’ managing director Stephen Sasse said energy was a key consideration in terms of the ability to generate a profit.
“Without going into the exact details of the deal, it provides us with enough certainty surrounding our energy prices into the future to go ahead with stage 2 of the project.
“It’s going to be big, around the equivalent of 250 full time equivalent jobs,” Mr Sasse said.
The 56 turbine wind power plant will feature a 20MW battery, adding to the energy security of the project.
Mr Sasse said Nectar Farms intended to produce a range of vegetable crops.
“The Stawell site will be used for tomato production, while we will decide what to do at Bulgana as the development progresses.”
On the Nectar Farms website, the company also expresses interest in growing cucumbers and capsicums.
The crops will all be grown hydroponically, which Mr Sasse said represented the most effective use of resources.
“Glasshouse farming has significant environmental benefits as it produces high yield crops, requires less land and is not exposed to climatic risk.”
Mr Sasse said the sites had been chosen for a number of reasons.
“Firstly, strategically, they are in a good spot between Melbourne and Adelaide.
“Climatically, they are also very suitable, there is relatively low humidity and we checked weather records and there is a low risk of severe hail which could do damage to the greenhouse infrastructure.”
“The local council (Northern Grampians Shire), has also been extremely accommodating.
“It has not just been a case of ensuring red tape was minimised, they have been really supportive and helpful throughout the whole process.”
Mr Sasse estimated the first batch of tomatoes would be ready for sale in early 2019.
He said the company planned to have consistent supply on-line year round.
“That means keeping the light up to the plants which is why energy is such a key concern for us.”
The plants lie within the Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water catchment, which has relatively low supplies, but high water security due to the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline.
Nectar Farms says the use of hydroponics cuts the use of water from 37,000 litres per $100 of product to just 600 litres and adds it believes it can also save significant amounts of water through water recycling systems.
The business is private, with founder Miles Sterrick the major shareholder.
Mr Sasse said capital was raised for the venture through Berkeley Calga, an investment fund set up as a joint venture between the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) and boutique investment firm Spar Capital.
Berkeley Calga was set up in order to generate more corporate investment in agriculture.