Fresh Freight Tasmania

Key drivers of the project
  • Power bills had risen significantly in the last 12 to 18 months, prompting urgent action.
  • Fresh Freight Tasmania wanted to reduce operational costs through renewable energy technology.
  • As part of the supply chain, reduction in carbon emissions of benefit to their customers with mandatory reporting requirements.
A renewable energy solution
  • Installed a 500kW solar PV system at the Laverton North site.
  • Utilised Yinglee solar panels with Solar Edge energy optimisers and inverters.
  • Integrated live performance monitoring to track energy generation and savings in real time.
Impactful results
  • Annual savings of over $160,000 in electricity costs.
  • Projected savings of $4.9 million over the system’s lifetime.
  • Reduction of 720 tonnes of CO₂-e per year, equivalent to planting over 33,000 trees.

Driving efficiency and sustainability

Originally a one-man operation out of Devonport, Tasmania, Chas Kelly Transport has grown into a group of companies employing over 850 people, with 300 trucks and 750 trailers on the road. One of their brands is Fresh Freight Tasmania, the largest transporter of fresh produce between Tasmania and mainland Australia. With 24/7 refrigeration required at their Laverton North site, the Fresh Freight Tasmania team decided to install solar to combat increasing energy prices. The company turned to Acacia Energy to design and implement a tailored solar solution.

According to Michael Leonard, General Manager at Fresh Freight Tasmania, the rising cost of electricity made it essential to act swiftly. “The costs associated with refrigerated storage facilities are enormous. Power bills went through the roof in the last 12 to 18 months. We decided that we had to do something quickly to try and offset some of those costs.”

Solar panels at Fresh Freight Tasmania

A solar energy solution

To address Fresh Freight Tasmania’s high energy consumption, Acacia Energy installed a 500kW solar PV system featuring:

  • Yinglee solar panels for high efficiency and durability.
  • Solar Edge energy optimisers and inverters to maximise performance.
  • Live performance monitoring to provide real-time insights on energy generation and cost savings.

The integration of cutting-edge technology has allowed Fresh Freight Tasmania to track and measure the impact of their investment, ensuring they achieve maximum return on their transition to solar energy. Real-time energy data can be accessed easily via smart phone, giving the team confidence that their system is performing throughout the day.

On the road to big savings

The implementation of solar energy will deliver both financial and environmental benefits for Fresh Freight Tasmania, including:

  • $160,000+ in annual electricity savings, reducing operational costs significantly
  • $4.9 million in total savings over the project’s lifetime
  • 720 tonnes of CO₂-e reduction per year, which is equivalent to planting over 33,000 trees.

Fresh Freight Tasmania’s proactive approach to reducing carbon emissions also benefits their clients who are facing mandatory climate reporting requirements. As regulatory frameworks increasingly require businesses to disclose their environmental impacts, companies are scrutinising their entire supply chains to ensure compliance. Clients can report reduced Scope 3 emissions—those indirect emissions occurring in the value chain—which are often the most challenging to quantify and mitigate. By proactively mitigating carbon emissions, Fresh Freight Tasmania is helping their clients get ahead of mandatory reporting requirements. Read more about mandatory climate reporting here.

Ready to drive down costs in your business?

If your business is facing high electricity bills, Acacia Energy can help. Our expert team provides tailored solutions to lower your energy expenses and enhance sustainability. We’re helping Australian businesses get ahead of the energy transition by generating, storing, and selling their own power. Contact us today and ask about our comprehensive energy audit which looks at your business’ energy use and offers tailored solutions to reducing operational costs.

 

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