Cavendish Farms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with move to natural gas

Cavendish Farms will invest in new technology to use more cost-effective natural gas and achieve a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions at the New Annan plant.

“As with our investment in biogas, we are always looking to reduce our carbon footprint while making our plant more competitive,“ said Robert Irving, President of Cavendish Farms.

“We are looking to eliminate the use of 29 million litres/year of heavy oil while achieving a 30 per cent reduction in energy costs and a 28 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions with natural gas. This helps secure good paying manufacturing jobs on the Island. The move to natural gas is good for the business and good for the environment. We appreciate the Province’s support of this investment in cleaner air and energy efficiency with a repayable loan of $15 million for a five-year term.”
 

This innovative, green project will benefit Prince Edward Island’s environment and economy,” said Environment, Energy and Forestry Minister Richard Brown. “It will allow Cavendish Farms to switch to a less expensive, cleaner source of energy, and will reduce greenhouse gases by 21,000 tonnes a year. It is equivalent to taking 4,200 cars a year off the road. This single action will reduce the province’s greenhouse gas emissions by 1 per cent.“

Cavendish Farms will now invest in constructing the receiving station for natural gas truck deliveries. This construction will generate 35,000 person hours of work. When completed, it is estimated that 8 - 10 new jobs will be created by the move to natural gas.

Cavendish Farms expects to begin using natural gas in December 2011.