By Eamonn Ryan
No cold chain can function without energy. Unreliable power and high costs are some of the biggest threats to cold storage efficiency across Africa.
Steenhuisen acknowledged the serious energy challenges facing farmers and cold chain operators: rolling blackouts, volatile energy prices and limited rural access to electricity.
“Cold storage is one of the most energy-intensive parts of the value chain,” he said. “Without stable power, the whole system breaks down.”
To solve this, the Department of Agriculture is working with the Department of Electricity to create a framework for agricultural energy efficiency, including:
- Solar-powered cold rooms for rural co-operatives
- Tax incentives for energy-efficient refrigeration systems
- Waste-to-energy solutions for livestock and crop waste
- Low-interest loans for renewable energy upgrades
He emphasised that these solutions must reach smallholders and co-operatives, not just large agribusinesses. “Energy security is not a luxury – it’s a prerequisite for food security.”
Renewable energy offers long-term cost savings and stability, particularly in off-grid regions. Steenhuisen cited successful pilots in Limpopo and Kenya, where solar-powered cold storage has helped reduce spoilage and extend shelf life dramatically.
He also noted the link between sustainability and competitiveness. “Buyers around the world are asking tough questions,” he said. “They want green supply chains. They want sustainability.”
The integration of green energy into cold chain systems is not just an environmental choice – it’s a market-driven one. Exporters with low-carbon footprints are increasingly seen as more desirable suppliers.
“Energy is the lifeblood of the cold chain,” Steenhuisen noted. “If we get this part right, everything else can follow – from logistics to food safety to trade.”