Horticulture
The horticulture industry in Queensland
Horticulture is Queensland’s second largest primary industry, worth more than $3 billion per year and employing about 25,000 people. Queensland’s 3,500 horticultural farms produce more than 120 types of fruit, nut and vegetables and are located from Stanthorpe in the south to the Atherton Tablelands in the far north.
The state peak body for horticulture in Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG).
QFVG has established the hort360 Best Management Practice Program which includes an energy module to assist growers to manage their energy consumption through best management practice in irrigation, machinery, packing sheds and cold rooms, workshop and office areas and lighting.
Top energy efficiencies for the horticulture industry.
Pumping and irrigation upgrades - Savings from Variable Speed Drive installation, pump replacements and maintenance.
Changes to irrigation design and automation.
Heating Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) - Condensor motor, VSD, ventilation fans and heating upgrades.
Lighting and general - Replacement and retrofitting of lights with LEDs, infrastructure and general changes.
Solar and batteries - Grid connected and standalone.
Gas - Hot water, insulation and general heating.
Solar systems - Ranging in size from 5-100kW systems.
Explore horticulture case studies
Wide Bay Burnett
Gayndah Citrus Plantation
The pumps operated for 3,300 hours in the year before the audit, consuming over 350,000 kWh with a higher proportion consumed during the summer.
Energy Savings 60% Cost Savings 55,562
Wide Bay Burnett
North Burnett Horticulture Farm
Energy Savings 38% Cost Savings $23,291
Explore horticulture related resources
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Electricity Price Changes in Regional Queensland 2024-25 Fact Sheet
By July each year, the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) sets the electricity prices that are passed onto residential and business addresses in regional Queensland. It is important for farmers to be aware of their energy usage and the tariff.
Financing your energy projects
Once you’ve identified energy savings or renewable energy opportunities for your farm, the next challenge is to find the funds or finance to make it happen.
There are a number of options to either reduce up-front costs or reduce the borrowing costs for the project. These can include new efficient pumps, motors, compressors, vehicles, lights, renewable energy systems and many other products.