Cooke Aquaculture Scotland has now launched its first hybrid feed barge in Shetland.
Built by Fjord Maritime UK, the barge has been deployed at Cooke's Copister salmon farm site in Yell, Shetland, and marks the third such technology implemented by the company at its Scottish farming sites.
Cooke says it has seen successful results with previous hybrid feed barges installed at Mill Bay and Vestness in Orkney.
The move towards adopting a hybrid system stems from Cooke's 2019 initiative to explore alternative power sources for its seawater sites in Orkney and Shetland, with the primary goal of minimizing environmental impact.
The hybrid system boasts capabilities that significantly reduce fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions, Cooke said in a statement announcing the innovation. Moreover, it extends the lifespan of the generator and equipment by optimizing residual capacity to charge batteries.
The mechanism functions by utilizing the auxiliary diesel generator to supply electricity to the facility. Once the batteries reach full capacity, the generator ceases operation, allowing the hybrid system to take over the feed barge's functions.
In practical terms, the Copister barge can operate for up to 20 hours on battery power alone within a 24-hour cycle, requiring only four to six hours of additional power from the barge engine.
“Here at sea, we raise our fish with care, and that includes ensuring we are using the latest technology to sustainably feed them," said Arnold Brown, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland Site Manager for Copister
“Yell was one of six islands chosen as part of the Scottish Government’s Carbon Neutral Islands scheme and hybrid barges will contribute to its ambition to make the whole country net zero by 2045.”