Greenhouse owner bets 200,000 kroner on batteries to cut power costs

Greenhouse owner Torben Uffe Henriksen has invested nearly 200,000 kroner in two large batteries to reduce the impact of rising electricity prices, DR reports.

Henriksen, who owns Gartneren i Nonnebo near Langeskov, says his variable electricity rate is cutting into his income.

“I earn less because we make less money when the electricity is running,” he says. “We cannot simply switch it off and use the electricity at another time. And when winter comes, it will become very expensive.”

The 6,000-square-metre greenhouse uses electricity to water plants, circulate heat and operate machinery.

The batteries are expected to act as a buffer. Henriksen plans to charge them when electricity is cheapest and use the stored power when prices rise. He also hopes to sell electricity back to the power company when demand is high.

Henriksen expects the batteries to be operational before the end of the year. He estimates that the investment will pay for itself within four years, after which the batteries could last another 12 to 15 years, according to him.

He says other greenhouse owners have also started investing in batteries to manage electricity costs.