Ariston’s Southdown Estate has been benefiting from its solar energy plant installation since July 2023, which has paid dividends for both the bottom line and the environment. The forward-thinking innovation has drastically decreased the estate’s dependency on generators, saving money on fuel and maintenance.
The solar energy plant has been a game changer for Southdown Estate, with a storage capacity of 1.2 MW, allowing it to harness the power of renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint. By tapping into the sun’s energy, the estate has reduced its reliance on generators, which were previously a significant expense.
The associated maintenance costs have also decreased, freeing up resources for other vital projects. According to the company’s third quarter report ended 30 June, “The Group continued to benefit from the positive impact made by installation of the solar energy plant at Southdown Estate in July 2023. This achieved cost saving through reduced reliance on generators and the associated maintenance cost, whilst contributing towards safeguarding environmental resources through use of a renewable energy source. Cost savings were however countered by the increase in the electricity charge out rate.”
As the globe grapples with the issues of climate change and energy sustainability, Ariston’s Southdown Estate serves as a beacon of innovation and success. By embracing renewable energy sources, the estate has not only decreased its environmental effect, but also set itself up for long-term financial success.
During the period under review, tea output volume of 2,880 tonnes was 28% more than the previous comparative period’s 2,245 tonnes, representing a considerable improvement as the Group topped the figure achieved in FY2022 of 2,850 tonnes.
In the current year, 1,292 tonnes of Macadamia were harvested, 2% less than the 1,313 tonnes collected in the previous comparative period, whereas poultry is produced using an out-grower approach. Volumes are established by the poultry operator for whom the birds are raised. There was a large decrease in volume because poultry houses were placed on hold for a portion of the year while the poultry operator erected a new abattoir. Poultry houses have been functioning since January 2024.
Ariston’s product mix changed significantly in the current period compared to previous quarters. The corporation has shifted its concentration away from potato farming, which was a main component in previous periods, and towards bananas, seed maize, seed soybeans, and commercial maize and soybeans. To prepare for an El Niño-induced drought, a deliberate change was made to preserve dam water for seed crop irrigation. As a result, the total amount of “other products” has decreased significantly.
