Frontier Agriculture is transforming its energy consumption through a partnership with Octopus Energy, utilizing the innovative Electric Match system. This technology enables the company to harness solar power more effectively, allowing it to share energy across its various sites in real-time. As a result, Frontier is reducing costs, increasing its renewable energy usage, and contributing to a more sustainable agricultural sector.
Founded in 2005, Frontier Agriculture has established itself as the UK’s leading crop production and grain marketing business. With over 1,100 employees and 46 sites across England and Scotland, the company is responsible for producing and distributing approximately 5 million tonnes of grain annually. This grain is essential for various products, from breakfast cereals to animal feed.
Frontier Agriculture is committed to sustainability and has set ambitious goals to reduce its carbon emissions. In 2023, the company joined Octopus Energy’s Electric Match program, which aligns perfectly with its green mission. The Electric Match system allows Frontier to treat its entire portfolio as a single entity, sharing surplus solar energy generated at one location with other sites that may need it.
The flexibility of Electric Match is a significant advantage. It enables Frontier to optimize its energy usage by sharing homegrown solar power, reducing reliance on the grid. David Alliston, Group Operations and Supply Chain Director at Frontier Agriculture, noted, “Moving to Electric Match has almost doubled the amount of our own renewable electricity that can be used at our sites, and our grid-purchased electricity has fallen significantly.”
Frontier has invested in a robust solar infrastructure, boasting a total capacity of 3.7 MW across 10 facilities. This solar capacity is not only substantial but also efficient, with the excess energy generated covering approximately 17% of the company’s overall energy needs. In one year alone, Frontier produced over 800,000 kWh of free solar energy through this initiative.
As the seasons change, so does Frontier’s energy consumption patterns. During the summer months, energy matching peaks, aligning closely with solar generation. For instance, energy consumption typically rises in the morning as solar production begins, reaching its highest point around midday. Frontier aims to shift its high-energy operations to these peak solar hours to maximize savings and efficiency.
Frontier Agriculture is also taking strategic steps to enhance on-site energy matching. Alliston emphasized the importance of timing energy-intensive tasks, such as operating color sorters, to coincide with peak solar production. This approach not only maximizes the utility of generated solar power but also contributes to overall operational efficiency.
The collaboration between Frontier Agriculture and Octopus Energy is a significant step toward a sustainable future. Electric Match technology not only helps businesses cut costs but also promotes the use of green energy for all. Frontier intends to continue its partnership with Octopus, focusing on further investments in renewable energy generation.
“The energy we procure through Octopus is 100% renewable,” Alliston stated. “The tariff encourages us to invest even more in renewable energy generation while giving us the flexibility to make less location-specific investments.”
As businesses increasingly seek to enhance their sustainability efforts, Electric Match presents an attractive option for those looking to optimize energy usage and reduce costs. Frontier Agriculture’s success story serves as a model for others in the agricultural sector and beyond, showcasing how innovative energy solutions can lead to significant environmental and economic benefits.
