ENERGY
Getting an independent view on farm energy options Farm electricity costs have pushed on relentlessly upwards in recent years, with the past two years in particular highlighting the volatility in prices as generators grapple with lower hydro lake levels, stymied gas supplies, and caps on coal fired production. WORDS BY RICHARD RENNIE
For farmers in Canterbury these effects are felt more severely than for most, with the region being the country’s largest user of irrigated water supplies and experiencing 32
R E AL FARM E R
some sustained dry periods over summerautumn in that time. Ruralco’s energy division has long focused on securing the best energy deals for its members to try and minimise the cost pressures electricity price rises have bought with them, particularly over high use periods.
business. They will now also have access to information and knowledge about what their energy needs are, and how best to secure their supply without necessarily having to spend thousands on capital equipment and additional annual energy costs.
That ability has been significantly strengthened thanks to a new partnership with Manawatu based company Independent Energy, a nationwide energy management business.
Independent Energy works alongside clients to help them identify opportunities to reduce their energy spend, based on monitoring and real time data analysis of farm business energy flows and peak demand periods.
Tracey Gordon, manager for Ruralco Energy says the partnership will ensure not only Ruralco members secure the best energy deal possible for supplying their farm
General manager Neville Taylor says for Ruralco clients, Independent Energy is particularly focused on analysing usage data to better identify a farm business’s
