On Mother’s Day, a Pitt Meadows flower grower has gone green with new energy efficient improvements.
Hollandia Greenhouses is Western Canada’s largest Gerbera grower – producing more than 30 million blooms a year, and has transformed its operation with significant energy-efficient improvements. With help from BC Hydro, the family-run business has cut electricity use, enhanced growing conditions, and strengthened its position as a leading supplier of sustainable daisies across the West Coast.
Mother’s Day is the busiest time of year – a two-week period when the team processes 800,000 to one million blooms each week.
While up to 90 per cent of cut flowers sold in Canada are imported – primarily from Colombia and Ecuador – Hollandia continues to strengthen B.C.’s foothold in one of North America’s most competitive agricultural sectors. Locally grown Gerberas avoid the emissions and quality issues associated with long‑distance air freight, offering British Columbians a local, sustainable, longer-lasting, high-quality alternative.
“With decades of family ownership, a commitment to innovation and measurable energy savings, Hollandia Greenhouses is a shining example of how B.C. businesses can lead the way in energy efficiency while staying globally competitive,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions.
“Their commitment to innovation, sustainability and continuous improvement reflects the values we want to see across the province as we work toward a cleaner, more resilient energy future.”
Hollandia’s 22‑acre greenhouse now features advanced LED lighting and automated climate controls that manage temperature, humidity, irrigation, lighting, ventilation and carbon dioxide levels.
Since 2015, the company has completed six BC Hydro custom incentive projects, resulting in nearly seven gigawatt hours of electricity savings – enough to power 700 homes for a year.
Through BC Hydro’s Industrial Cohort Program, Hollandia received expert support to identify future projects and implement additional efficiency opportunities, achieving four gigawatt hours of savings over five years. The company also participated in the Demand Response for Business program, reducing their energy use during high demand periods, earning a $50,000 incentive. The greenhouse, which supplies daisies to grocery stores and florists across B.C. and major retailers across Alberta, Saskatchewan, Washington, Oregon and California, is now exploring solar generation and battery storage as part of its long‑term planning.
“BC Hydro’s incentives were instrumental in helping us adopt state‑of‑the‑art LED lighting and we get about 70 per cent more efficiency out of our LEDs compared to high‑pressure sodium lighting,” said Terry Pastorek, Hollandia’s operations manager. “The full‑spectrum colour also gives us better results. In the shoulder seasons, we can run LEDs without overheating the greenhouse, which helps us pick more flowers and use less energy.”
Hollandia’s greenhouse roof structure also collects rainwater, and stores it in large holding ponds, reducing reliance on municipal water. After irrigation, this fertilized water is treated, recycled and reused.
Founded in 1952 in Maple Ridge, Hollandia has blossomed from a two-acre family farm into a 22-acre operation employing more than 70 people.
“Hollandia’s achievements demonstrate what’s possible when businesses take a proactive approach to energy management, embrace new technologies and work closely with our team to reduce energy use while improving productivity,” said Charlotte Mitha, BC Hydro’s President and CEO. “Their leadership in energy efficiency, commitment to sustainable innovation and success is the reason they are being recognized as a Power Smart Champion.”
BC Hydro is accepting nominations from B.C. residents, businesses, municipalities, or Indigenous and community groups that have taken steps to lower their carbon footprint and adopt new clean energy technologies. If you or someone you know is a Power Smart Champion, nominate them at bchydro.com/powersmartchampions.