The British company Clock House Farm has launched a project to grow berries regardless of the season through renewable energy sources, with the project costing £10 million.
A fruit and berry producer has invested in technology harnessing heat from the nearby Midway River, Freshplaza.com reported.
It took three years to create a system of heat pumps operating at the expense of the water temperature in the river. In addition, the company has become the largest clean energy investor among soft fruit producers in the UK.
Thanks to the introduction of “green” technology and renewable sources, the plantation of raspberries (gross harvest 150 tons) and blackberries (gross yield 300 tons) with an area of 6.5 hectares is provided with energy.
The garden strawberry plantation, planned to be launched by 2024, will be heated similarly. The company believes that the collection of berries from the new plantation can reach 200 tons.
Clock House Farm grows its produce in poly greenhouses rather than standard tunnels. The company believes that thanks to the new method of heating greenhouses, the yield will be more stable than with other forms of heating greenhouse complexes.
Clock House Farm is a UK family business founded in 1903 and farming about 330 hectares in Kent and 30 hectares near Tonbridge and Ashford.
The company is one of the largest European producers of berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, apples, pears, and plums. Most of the fruits are supplied to large retail chains.