The 24th of October 2018 was a big day for the cows of Fair Cape Dairies. On that day, in a response to World Day for Climate Action, the dairy producer took its milking operation off the grid during daylight hours.
Since the start of this renewable energy initiative all milking during daylight hours has been powered by solar energy, saving carbon emissions equivalent to 90 000 kilograms of coal.
Two years later the company is commemorating over 250 000 kWh worth of renewable energy produced at its milking parlour in the Western Cape.
The parlour is not fully off the Eskom grid, says Louis Loubser, chief marketing officer. Early morning milking is still powered by the national energy supplier. There are medium to long term plans to install batteries that will store the solar energy and ensure that the milking parlour is completely off the grid in the future.
“We are extremely proud of the emissions savings we have achieved over the past 18 months by replacing coal-derived energy with clean solar energy,” says Loubser.
To mark the achievement, they have launched a limited edition yellow lidded EcoFresh milk bottle in their flagship stores across the Eastern and Western Cape.
Loubser says that the company is fully committed to playing their role as environmental warriors and reducing its impact on the environment.
“Our brand is based on three pillars: animal welfare, social welfare and environmental welfare. Our solar-powered milk (process) is just one of many ways that we constantly strive to minimise our impact on the environment in line with our environmental welfare pillar.”
