What’s happening?
Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) is encouraging aquaculture producers to improve energy efficiency through practical on-farm upgrades. The advice highlights five areas producers can review, including aeration and oxygenation, automated feeding, hatchery tanks, water quality and lighting, and solar systems.
Producers are also being urged to first understand their energy use and costs. That includes checking their tariff and using an energy audit to identify where improvements can be made.
Why it matters?
Energy efficiency is critical to sustainable aquaculture. It can lower energy use, reduce operating costs, and cut environmental impact.
It can also help producers improve how their operation runs each day. Better systems can support water quality, feed conversion, and overall production outcomes.
Local Impact
This is especially relevant for aquaculture businesses in North Queensland. Producers in the region are being shown how energy audits and targeted upgrades can improve efficiency on the farm.
QRIDA’s concessional finance option also gives eligible producers a pathway to fund bigger improvements. That could help more farms act on changes that may otherwise be delayed.
By the numbers
- A Queensland Farmers’ Federation energy efficiency audit found one North Queensland aquaculture operation could save more than $100,000 through energy-efficient upgrades.
- The same audit found that the operation could reduce energy use by 65 per cent, showing the scale of savings available.
- Eligible aquaculture producers can apply for a concessional QRIDA Sustainability Loan of up to $1.3 million to fund on-farm energy-efficient upgrades.
Zoom In
Rigano says producers should start by understanding their energy use and costs, including through an energy audit, and making sure they are on the best tariff.
From there, producers can assess five possible upgrades aquaculture producers could consider:
- Aeration and oxygenation: Use efficient aeration technologies to improve oxygenation. For example, many aquaculture producers invest in fine-bubble diffusers, inverter-driven blowers, and sensor-driven systems.
- Automated feeding systems: Invest in automated feeding systems to improve feed conversion and reduce energy use from wasted feed and poorer water quality.
- Modern hatchery tanks: Upgrade to modern hatchery tanks with optimised features such as insulated materials, self-cleaning systems, Variable Speed Drive (VSD) motors, and heat pumps.
- Water quality and lighting: Implement energy-efficient filtration systems, such as automatic filters, and lighting, such as LED systems.
- Solar: Install solar PV systems to generate energy, reduce water evaporation, and improve food production.
Zoom Out
The message reflects a wider push for more efficient farming systems that lower costs and support sustainability. In aquaculture, that means using better equipment and smarter systems to improve performance while reducing energy demand.
It also shows how financial support can help turn energy planning into practical changes on the farm.
What To Look For Next?
As producers review their energy use and tariffs, this will identify which upgrades best suit their operation and whether they are eligible for QRIDA support.
