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Fruit and vegetable growers can power more, spend less with QRIDA

13 April 2026

By QRIDA Regional Area Manager for Capricornia, John Metelli 

Queensland fruit and vegetable growers can slash operational costs, lower emissions, and reduce produce losses by improving energy efficiency.

For example, an energy efficiency audit carried out by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) found a Queensland mango and tomato operation could save more than $180,000 in operating costs and 19% in potential site energy savings by investing in lighting and solar upgrades.

To boost your horticultural operation’s energy efficiency, first you’ll need to understand your energy usage and costs, such as through an energy audit, and ensure you’ve got the best tariff. Then you can identify energy efficient improvements for your farm. 

Here’s five on-farm energy efficient upgrades fruit and vegetable growers could consider:

1. Irrigation and pumping: Harness automation technologies for precise irrigation scheduling and upgrade old pumps to reduce power bills. 
2. Cold rooms and refrigeration: Upgrade old refrigeration systems to modern units with Variable Speed Drives (VSDs) on compressors and fans, improve insulation, and invest in smart technologies to manage air leakage.
3. Lighting and ventilation: Switch to LED lighting, install motion sensors in packing sheds and storage rooms to turn off lights when they’re not in use, and use natural ventilation when possible. 
4. Solar: Invest in solar PV systems, and solar-powered cold storage and pumps to reduce electricity costs. 
5. Batteries: Purchase a Battery Energy Storage System to store solar energy and reduce reliance on the grid.

A concessional QRIDA Sustainability Loan of up to $1.3 million can help eligible fruit and vegetable growers fund on-farm energy efficient upgrades. 

Visit QRIDA's Sustainability Loan webpage or call QRIDA on 1800 623 946 to find out more about how you can power more and spend less with QRIDA. 

Visit the Queensland Ag Energy Hub to find out more about energy information for farmers. 

Note: The case study referred to in this article is a Queensland Ag Energy Hub case study. The Queensland Ag Energy Hub is managed by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) and was funded by the Queensland Government.