Solar shines for Nu Fruit with CommBank and CEFC finance
28 January 2015
Major supermarket fresh produce supplier Nu Fruit Pty Ltd will install 100 Kw of solar PV at its Wangaratta refrigerated warehouses and cool-rooms using Commonwealth Bank and Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) finance to reduce the energy costs associated with the site.
CEFC CEO Oliver Yates said the $100 million Energy Efficient Loan (EEL) program - a joint initiative with the Commonwealth Bank - was helping a range of businesses access smart cleaner energy solutions to improve their cost competitiveness.
"Many regional businesses have experienced significant energy cost increases and through this loan program we're working with them to unlock energy productivity gains and cost reductions," he said.
"This EEL finance for upgrades is targeted at helping accelerate many types of smart energy improvements, including new purpose built processing equipment, improved industrial ovens, refrigeration upgrades, energy efficient trigeneration equipment and solar PV installation."
Wangaratta-based Nu Fruit Director Dean Campagna, said Nu Fruit accessed about $220,000 through the Energy Efficient Loan, covering the upfront cost of installing solar.
"We have already invested in modern, high humidity refrigerated fresh produce warehouses and cool-rooms, but our electricity demands are still a key expense for us," he said.
"This Energy Efficient Loan helps us by generating over 10 per cent of our own energy, reducing our grid electricity needs and benefiting from the long term savings of solar PV."
About Nu Fruit
Nu Fruit Pty Ltd is the preferred supplier of leading supermarkets in Victoria, and selected supermarkets in NSW, SA and the ACT.
The business, in which Metcash Trading Ltd holds a 51 per cent stake, has grown from the family business started in the 1972 by brothers Arthur and Ernie Campagna.
Today it supplies fruit, vegetables, nuts, cut flowers and seedlings and has established alliances with IGA, FoodWorks and Ritchies.
It prides itself on being an innovative leader in the fresh produce industry with an extensive logistical network that delivers beyond its regional base.
Media release, 2015