Thanet Earth

Thanet Earth is a large industrial agriculture and plant factory project consortium on the Isle of Thanet in Kent, England. It is the largest greenhouse complex in the UK, covering 90 hectares, or  of land. The glasshouses produce approximately 225 million tomatoes, 16 million peppers and 13 million cucumbers a year, equal to roughly 12, 11 and 8 per cent respectively of Britain’s entire annual production of those salad ingredients. Thanet Earth's main customers are Asda, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, M&S and agency HRGO

Food production

The complex began producing in October 2008. Cucumbers and peppers are picked continuously from February to October, and tomatoes are harvested every day of the week, 52 weeks a year.

The UK's largest privately owned fresh produce supplier, Fresca Group Ltd, has a 50% stake in the trading business that sells all the crops grown at the site, Thanet Earth Marketing Limited. The remaining 50% of Thanet Earth Marketing Limited is owned by three salad growing specialist companies which each owns and operates a glasshouse at the site – Kaaij Greenhouses UK, Rainbow Growers and a six hectare glasshouse owned by A&A. Planning permission exists for a further four greenhouses on the site, making seven in total; in time for planting vine tomatoes in January 2013 they built an additional eight hectares of greenhouses

Power

The complex is powered by combined heat and power systems that create heat, power and carbon dioxide (which is absorbed by the plants) for the greenhouses. Through a partnership with a Virtual power plant they also export their excess power to the grid and automatically add extra power to the grid at times of peak demand.

Controversies 

Although the project has received mainly positive reviews from people living near the site, due to job creation and greater food security, there are major concerns over the change in local scenery, the damage to the wildlife and environment from the light pollution and the loss of traditional farming practices. There are also concerns about the use of hydroponics producing less flavoursome produce.

In 2013 it was reported that during misty nights the lit glasshouses were a source of light pollution in the form of a clearly visible night glow. The company were quoted as saying that "For ventilation purposes we have to leave tiny gaps where the blinds meet. Even when the blinds are fully closed we estimate that approximately 2 per cent of area is uncovered."

Media

As the first of its kind in the UK, the Thanet Earth project received minor, but national coverage. The Daily Mail noticeably failed to identify the heating plant as a local power plant foremost, with waste heat being used to warm the greenhouses (combined heat and power).

See also 
 Thanet Offshore Wind Project

References

External links
 Official Website
 Virtual Tour
 

Category:Greenhouses in the United Kingdom
Category:Hydroponics
Category:Farms in England
Category:Thanet
Category:Companies based in Kent
Category:Intensive farming