DELTA, CANADA - A partnership between BC Hydro and WINDSET FARMS® has enabled the local vegetable producer to expand its Delta facility, making it Western North America's largest LED-lit greenhouse powered by renewable electricity from BC Hydro.

"Our clean, affordable electricity is a tremendous advantage for British Columbia, helping to ensure that the products we produce are low carbon, making them more competitive domestically and internationally," said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions. "Congratulations to Windset Farms for seizing on that advantage and partnering with BC Hydro to expand production and grow your greenhouse operations with clean, renewable energy."

Windset Farms recently completed two one-million-square-foot greenhouses equipped with systems designed for energy efficiency and sustainability, a press release stated. The new greenhouses ensure a year-round supply of vegetables to major grocery chains in Western Canada, including Costco, Loblaws, Sobeys, and Save-On-Foods to name a few.

With support from BC Hydro, Windset Farms has upgraded its new and existing greenhouses from a distribution system to a higher-powered transmission system.

"There's a real push from retailers and consumers to have locally grown produce and to make that possible, it all came down to the availability of power," said Steven Newell, CEO of Windset Farms. "Knowing we've got the electricity we need gives us and our retail partners certainty of assured locally grown, B.C. supply, year-round."

BC Hydro also provided $4.8 million in LED lighting incentives to Windset Farms, allowing a complete switch from energy-intensive high-pressure sodium lighting to energy-saving LEDs. This upgrade means the Delta greenhouses now boast 19 hectares of lit production, making it the largest lit greenhouse vegetable facility in Western North America, and reducing electricity consumption by about 55 percent.

BC Hydro and Windset Farms have collectively initiated new studies to address future project phases. The studies will focus on energy-efficient lighting, battery applications, and load-displacement solutions, including on-site generation from renewable sources.

"Our agriculture industry plays a vital role in all British Columbians' lives, providing locally grown fruits and vegetables to feed families, and positively impacting our economy by employing thousands of British Columbians," said Chris O'Riley, President and CEO of BC Hydro. "We admire Windset Farms' commitment to building a sustainable agricultural business, and we are excited to name them a Clean Energy Champion."

Windset Farms would like to send a heartfelt thank you to BC Hydro for recognizing their commitment to energy conservation and innovation by awarding them the Clean Energy Champion designation.