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.
In the course of the three-year sustainability plan, which the corporate launched in 2022, ESF plans to exchange greater than 60 p.c of its vitality wants with solar energy, working in direction of a purpose 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 vitality technology. It’s at present working to fee the primary 1.2 megawatts of technology, which can produce 27 p.c of the power’s vitality.
“In reality, by mid-2023, we are going to produce one hundred pc of our vitality wants from photo voltaic panels,” Tome stated.
The corporate says that will probably be in a position to implement the photo voltaic implementation simply due to the excessive “PVOUT index” of Choluteca, which Tome defined because the photovoltaic potential of photo voltaic vitality within the space. Southern Honduras produces roughly a 4.8 PVOUT index stage, which Tome says is a excessive rating.
“The explanation 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 business as a result of it’s not simple to will do,” stated Tome of SeafoodSource. “Harvesting, processing, and freezing shrimp in a tropical local weather requires a big quantity of vitality. Southern Honduras is a perfect location for acquiring photo voltaic vitality 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 can cut back the necessity for added land use. A not too long ago authorized regulation for business bi-directional meters enhance the profitability of extra vitality technology by permitting us to provide extra to the nationwide grid throughout off-peak durations.
ESF Seafood Director Ivan Clements stated the corporate can be prioritizing carbon neutrality and emission reductions as a part of its sustainability initiative.
“Decreasing carbon emissions is a important purpose for our prospects all over the world. We’re the primary shrimp processing plant emigrate to renewable vitality; we are going to cut back our carbon footprint by greater than 2,000 tons in 2023 and has a transparent plan to realize carbon impartial standing. Taking a number one place in sustainability and vitality safety will assist make sure the continued success of our enterprise in Honduras and proceed to offer our prospects with high-quality, value-added shrimp and our individuals with good jobs,” Clements stated.
Tome stated the corporate plans to increase its sustainability efforts all through its provide chain.
“We work very laborious with the farms and the hatcheries when it comes to actually presenting, speaking concerning the sustainability of the business,” stated Tome.
ESF Seafood will start its commissioning check for producing its electrical energy wants quickly. As soon as put in, the ESF will be capable to change round 30 p.c of its vitality wants.
“By the tip of December 2023, subsequent yr, we must always generate 60 to 66 p.c of our vitality wants. And by the tip of 2024, we must always generate 99 p.c of our vitality wants via our instillation straight,” stated Tome. “We’re very enthusiastic about it.”
Photograph courtesy of ESF Seafood
