Choluteca, Honduras-based ESF Seafood has introduced main enhancements and photo voltaic panel installations as a part of a three-year sustainability and carbon-reduction improvement plan.
ESF Seafood has an 11,700-square-meter plant for IQF (particular person quick-freeze) value-added shrimp manufacturing, with brining and freezing capabilities, and chilly storage that may maintain as much as 5 million kilos of product.
Throughout the three-year sustainability plan, which the corporate launched in 2022, ESF plans to switch greater than 60 p.c of its power wants with solar energy, working in the direction of a aim of turning into a one hundred pc which is a carbon-neutral processor.
In its preliminary phases, the ESF plans to speed up its investments within the set up of photo voltaic paneling that may produce 3.5 megawatts of power technology. It’s presently working to fee the primary 1.2 megawatts of technology, which is able to produce 27 p.c of the power’s power.
“Actually, by mid-2023, we’ll produce one hundred pc of our power wants from photo voltaic panels,” Tome mentioned.
The corporate says that it will likely be capable of implement the photo voltaic implementation simply due to the excessive “PVOUT index” of Choluteca, which Tome defined because the photovoltaic potential of photo voltaic power within the space. Southern Honduras produces roughly a 4.8 PVOUT index degree, which Tome says is a excessive rating.
“The rationale we will transfer so quick is due to the very excessive PVOUT on this particular space. That is the form of distinction issue; I believe that may give us a turning level within the trade as a result of it isn’t simple to will do,” mentioned Tome of SeafoodSource. “Harvesting, processing, and freezing shrimp in a tropical local weather requires a big quantity of power. Southern Honduras is a perfect location for acquiring photo voltaic power attributable to its excessive photovoltaic (PVOUT) score of the world and we will use the roof house of our plant for the set up of photo voltaic panels, which is able to scale back the necessity for added land use. A lately accredited regulation for business bi-directional meters enhance the profitability of extra power technology by permitting us to produce extra to the nationwide grid throughout off-peak durations.
ESF Seafood Director Ivan Clements mentioned the corporate can be prioritizing carbon neutrality and emission reductions as a part of its sustainability initiative.
“Decreasing carbon emissions is a vital aim for our clients around the globe. We’re the primary shrimp processing plant emigrate to renewable power; we’ll scale back our carbon footprint by greater than 2,000 tons in 2023 and has a transparent plan to attain carbon impartial standing. Taking a number one place in sustainability and power safety will assist make sure the continued success of our enterprise in Honduras and proceed to offer our clients with high-quality, value-added shrimp and our individuals with good jobs,” Clements mentioned.
Tome mentioned the corporate plans to develop its sustainability efforts all through its provide chain.
“We work very arduous with the farms and the hatcheries by way of actually presenting, speaking in regards to the sustainability of the trade,” mentioned Tome.
ESF Seafood will start its commissioning of trials to fulfill its energy wants quickly. As soon as put in, the ESF will have the ability to substitute round 30 p.c of its power wants.
“By the top of December 2023, subsequent yr, we must always generate 60 to 66 p.c of our power wants. And by the top of 2024, we must always generate 99 p.c of our power wants by way of our instillations instantly,” mentioned Tome. “We’re very glad about this.”
Photograph courtesy of ESF Seafood
