Massive B.C. greenhouse makes switch to LED lighting, slashes energy consumption

In light of U.S. president Donald Trump’s tariff threat the province is encouraging people to shop locally - at this award-winning giant greenhouse, for example

Millions of tomatoes are grown year-round inside a massive Delta greenhouse, the largest in western North America powered by renewable energy.

Windset Farms' 48 acres of indoor production are now consuming 55 per cent less energy, thanks to $4.8 million in LED lighting incentives provided by BC Hydro.

“We actually keep most of it in Canada,” said Windset Farms CEO Steven Newell.

“Our tomatoes and cucumbers are for Costco, for Loblaws.”

In honour of the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon emissions, BC Hydro has designated it a Clean Energy Champion.

Newell knows feeding Canadians is now more important than ever, with U.S. President Donald Trump’s 25-per-cent tariff threat looming.

“Producing in British Columbia for British Columbians, it’s on the forefront. It was highlighted in COVID, and now we’re really seeing that with the threat of tariffs from the U.S., that we’ve got to produce more of our own products here in British Columbia,” Newell said.

During Friday’s award ceremony, B.C.’s energy minister highlighted the importance of domestic food security and urged residents to “buy B.C.”

“We have to address food security issues to the extent we can here in B.C. by supporting B.C. farmers, everywhere,” said Adrian Dix, the minister of energy and climate solutions.

According to Sylvain Charlebois, buying local can often come with an increased cost.

“Canadians are pressured right now because of inflation. They’re looking for good deals and not necessarily looking for where their food is actually coming from,” said Charlebois, the director of Dalhousie University’s Agrifood Analytics Lab.

But as Newell accepts his sustainability award, he hopes his greenhouses showcase the importance of buying local.

“We really appreciate consumers who recognize Canada products,” he said. “(Consumers) that want locally grown, fresher product, more nutritious product, less food miles and done sustainably.”