SA Produce Market has SA’s first onsite energy microgrid supplying electricity to its Pooraka site and the national grid
SA’s fresh produce wholesale market is undergoing significant changes, including become self-sufficient to ensure it’s long-term future.
THE South Australian Produce Market is the state’s primary fresh produce wholesale market.
More than 250,000 tonnes of produce is traded between its 45 wholesalers, 60 growers and hundreds of retail operators each year, worth an estimated wholesale value of $550 million.
It is the first privatised market in Australia and has been operating at its Burma Rd, Pooraka site for the past 30 years.
Angelo Demasi, chief executive of the SA Produce Market.
What has been the one major highlight for the business in the past 12 months?
The last 12 months has seen the transformation of the current site to be self-sufficient and has built the state’s first onsite energy microgrid that can supply the site’s entire energy demand as well as exporting power to the National Electricity Market (NEM).
The microgrid comprises a 4.2MWh lithium-ion battery, 2.5MW solar PV system and a 2.5MW onsite generator, all connected with fibre optic cable and controlled by a custom designed smart control and switching system.
Other highlights include increasing the export capabilities for market growers and wholesalers, and being in business for 30 years.
Can you identify one major challenge for the business?
The continued competitive nature of our retail sector placing high expectation of low prices whilst maintaining the high standard of fresh clean and green produce.
Other challenges include the domination of supermarket powers, the high cost of rates and taxes – although this is being adjusted by the current State Government, and population growth.
Any exciting product/project you are working on?
We’re working on our food and retail precinct expansion.
What is your opinion of the state of the food industry in SA?
The state food industry is currently ramping up with renewed confidence that the cost of doing business in SA will decrease under the current policy settings.
The cost of electricity remains of the fundamental issue for the food industry which is seeing projects like our microgrid becoming a solution.
Another emerging impediment is the recently escalating cost of insurance premiums for food processing and cold storage facilities.