Greenhouse growers shift from cutting energy costs to optimizing crop performance
Growers are shifting from cutting energy use to optimizing it for crop performance. See how electrification and pricing volatility reshape greenhouse production.
Key takeaways
- Energy is now a central factor in greenhouse crop performance, not just an operational cost.
- Electricity pricing volatility and peak demand charges are changing how growers plan energy use.
- Data-driven systems are helping growers align energy timing with crop needs and cost control.
Greenhouse growers are rethinking energy use as a core part of crop strategy rather than a cost to minimize, according to a presentation at the ACT Grower Summit in Leamington, Ontario.
Timme Hovinga, product director for Priva, said energy decisions now directly affect crop performance, production consistency and the ability to meet contracts. More than 130 growers and industry professionals attended the session, which focused on how rising electrification and volatile electricity pricing are changing production decisions.
Modern greenhouse systems rely on energy for lighting, heating, irrigation, CO₂ dosing and climate control. Reducing energy use without a clear plan can lead to slower growth, delayed harvests and lower yields, increasing the risk of missed commitments.
At the same time, technologies such as LED lighting, electric boilers and heat pumps are increasing reliance on the electrical grid. In regions like Ontario, peak demand charges mean a short spike in usage can raise costs for weeks, shifting the focus from how much energy is used to when it is used.
Hovinga said growers are moving toward strategies that maintain total energy input while adjusting timing to avoid peak pricing. “The key is shifting from reducing energy use to optimizing energy timing,” he said.
Managing these variables manually is becoming less practical, leading to increased adoption of data-driven systems that integrate weather forecasts, electricity pricing and crop targets.
As energy markets remain volatile, the approach is shifting toward long-term production stability, with energy management integrated into broader greenhouse operations.
FAQ
Q: Why are growers changing how they use energy?
A: Rising costs, pricing volatility and electrification are making energy a key factor in crop performance and production stability.
Q: What is the risk of cutting energy use?
A: It can lead to slower growth, delayed harvests and lower yields, affecting contract commitments.
Q: What is peak demand and why does it matter?
A: Peak demand is the highest short-term energy use, which can significantly increase electricity costs for weeks.
Q: How are growers adapting?
A: They are using data-driven systems to plan energy use based on pricing, weather and crop needs.
What this means
Energy management is becoming integrated with overall greenhouse production planning, not treated as a separate cost category.