Scottish salmon farmer introduces hybrid feed storage barge to reduce carbon footprint

Battery-powered barge to cut site’s diesel consumption by up to 60 percent

Loch Duart, an independent Scottish salmon farm in the country’s northwest, has introduced a hybrid feed storage barge that will significantly reduce its carbon footprint. The barge, which combines battery and diesel power, is estimated to cut the site’s diesel consumption by up to 60 percent when compared to standard diesel systems. The electric motor is also quieter and requires less maintenance, prolonging the life of the vessel.

“Loch Duart is excited to introduce this system on one of our sea sites, an industry first for Scotland,” said Hazel Wade, Operations Manager of Loch Duart. “Our aim has always been to rear the best quality salmon with the lowest possible impact on the environment. This system represents a significant step forward, reducing our fuel usage and emissions while ensuring quieter operations for the team, our salmon and the local environment.”

The hybrid system was developed by ScaleAQ and uses an Environmental Management System (EMS) to ensure lower levels of diesel consumption and consequently lower emissions of CO₂, nitrogen oxides and sulfur oxide. The DNV-GL (Det Norske Veritas) approved, cobalt-free batteries ensure installations are safe and have a long service life.

According to the company, calculations show that the CO₂ emissions from the production of the batteries are earned back after approximately 60 days of use of the hybrid system at sea. Additionally, by removing vehicles from the road and delivering the feed fresh and straight from the producer by sea, Loch Duart is using sea freight, which it claims to be “the most CO₂-efficient transport method.”

The feed storage barge, which will service Loch Duart farm site Oldany, is now up and running. Loch Duart currently produces 6,000 metric tons of salmon each year from its farms in Sutherland and the Outer Hebrides and employs 140 people.

“The new hybrid feed storage barge also provides enhanced staff welfare facilities for our people working at sea, often in harsh weather conditions, helping them produce salmon with unrivalled taste and asked for by name around the world,” said Wade. “Loch Duart views this development as the beginning of our goal to further reduce the carbon footprint of all our farming operations.”

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