Potato storage has always been an energy-intensive part of the supply chain. Maintaining the right temperature, airflow, and humidity across thousands of tonnes of tubers requires continuous refrigeration and ventilation, often for several months at a time. As electricity costs continue to rise across Europe and beyond, these facilities have become a focal point for energy efficiency measures. 
For many growers and storage operators, energy now accounts for one of the largest variable costs, making efficiency and renewable generation more important than ever.
Studies and field experience show that the bulk of a potato store’s electricity bill comes from cooling and ventilation. Refrigeration alone can make up two-thirds of total use, with fans, motors, and lighting making up most of the remainder. Even small inefficiencies—such as air leaks or poorly calibrated probes—compound over time and translate into significant added costs. This explains why operators increasingly explore both renewable energy integration and equipment upgrades as strategies to offset rising expenses.

Exploring Renewable Opportunities

Among the renewable options, solar photovoltaics have gained the most traction. The flat roof space or adjacent land typical of many farm facilities is well-suited for solar arrays, and the predictable energy demand of a cold store creates a natural match with on-site generation. While solar power does not provide a constant supply overnight, pairing it with battery storage allows facilities to smooth consumption and limit exposure to peak grid prices.

Wind energy is another option, particularly in regions where steady patterns make turbines feasible. Though not as widespread in the potato sector, examples exist of storage facilities tapping into local wind generation to supply base-load needs. Geothermal energy, by contrast, is still emerging in agriculture but offers interesting potential: using underground temperature stability to assist in cooling or heating reduces reliance on electrical chillers and heaters. For operators with the right geological conditions, geothermal systems can offer long-term cost stability.

Renewable systems alone rarely cover the entire energy demand of a large cold store, but they provide a valuable offset. More importantly, they also serve as a hedge against volatile energy markets and contribute to the environmental credentials increasingly demanded by retailers and end consumers.

Efficiency at the Equipment Level

Alongside renewable adoption, much progress is being made at the level of equipment and building fabric. One well-documented approach is the installation of variable speed motors on fans and compressors. These allow airflow to be matched precisely to demand, avoiding the waste of running equipment at full speed when conditions do not require it. Research in Wisconsin has shown that adjustable-speed drives on ventilation fans can reduce electricity consumption by 25–40 percent for short-term storage and as much as 65 percent for long-term operations, with payback achieved in little more than a year.

You can read the rest of this article in your complimentary e-copy of Issue #2 of Potato Business Digital magazine, which you can access by clicking here.