Freshbay is building a state-of-the-art controlled environment agriculture (CEA) facility on 19 acres in Hinton, Alberta, which is set to begin operations in January 2024. This facility will utilize cutting-edge technology, such as vertical farming and greenhouses, to grow herbs, strawberries, and tropical fruits year-round while harnessing the power of geothermal energy to maintain a carbon-neutral footprint.
Geothermal energy is a clean and renewable energy source that harnesses the heat from the Earth’s interior, which can be accessed through drilling wells into geothermal reservoirs near tectonic plate boundaries or volcanic areas. This energy source is always available, consistent, and reliable, making it a dependable alternative to fossil fuels. Geothermal energy is also environmentally friendly, as it does not emit greenhouse gases, air pollutants, or toxic waste.
According to Grocery Business, Freshbay’s CEA facility will be the first in North America. The region’s significant economic boost will be boosted by creating 450 new full-time jobs. The company’s team of experts in geothermal energy, agriculture, and indoor farming is committed to delivering an innovative, sustainable, and economically viable solution to indoor agriculture. The CEO, Vic Reddy, sees the potential for this project to revolutionize indoor farming and provide a unique and environmentally conscious solution to Canada’s growing demand for local produce.
While the cost of geothermal energy can vary, it can be more expensive to develop and implement than other renewable energy sources, such as wind or solar, due to the costs of drilling wells and constructing geothermal power plants. However, once up and running, geothermal power plants often have lower operational costs than other energy sources. In addition, they can run continuously, making them a cost-effective option in the long term.
Photo by Mark Kuiper on Unsplash
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