A $10 million greenhouse operation in western Saskatchewan fueled by waste heat could become a reality by 2007, says project manager Dale Davidson.
The Rosetown Regional Greenhouse Authority is acquiring investment and finalizing its access to appropriate water resources.
Davidson said the greenhouses will use waste heat from a TransGas compressor station in the area. The development will also require upgrades to local water treatment facilities.
He expects the project to return $4 million in gross revenue annually in its first stage. That will include eight acres of vegetable greenhouse development, fruit orchards and market gardens.
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The project is expected to grow to include 12 acres when in full operation, said Davidson.
More than eight local municipal government partners have helped launch the project, after spending the last few years studying capital and equipment needs, human resources, markets, land availability and transportation.
Davidson said the greenhouses will be able to capitalize on lower overhead costs and proximity to major centres and vegetable wholesalers.
“You should have fresher higher quality product available at the market sooner than any competitor.”
Davidson said it represents 30 jobs and diversified agriculture for the Rosetown community.
“It’s a new footprint for a new industry in Saskatchewan. Growing vegetables is not new to Saskatchewan but growing them at this scale 12 months of the year is a new industry,” said Davidson.
Under the proposal, TransGas would build systems to trap exhaust air at its compressor station and charge the greenhouse operator a fee to use it.
Fred Hill, director of business development with TransGas, called the greenhouse project a good match with the type and amount of waste energy available.
“Saskatchewan needs to produce more intense agriculture, and, it gives us an opportunity to eliminate some heat emissions that we’re generating,” Hill said.
Although it is the only such undertaking for TransGas, Sask Power and Alliance Pipeline are working on harnessing waste heat to keep 2,500 homes warm in Kerrobert, Sask.
