Wind technology embraced by producer of culinary oils

Award-winning Harnett's Oils in Northern Ireland is embracing wind technology to reduce energy costs and enhance competitiveness.

Based at Waringstown in county Down, Harnett is a specialist in culinary oils, including rapeseed and hemp, and will use a wind turbine to power the production press. In addition, the turbine will generate electricity for the family home and other activities on the estate where the business is located.

Jane Harnett, managing director of Harnett's Oils, says: "Electricity is a major cost item for us. Generating our own electricity will help us bring costs under control and increase our overall competitiveness. It's also a contribution to sustainability. It's a further development of our longstanding commitment to preserving the environment."

Oil seed rape and hemp are grown on the family estate and then cold pressed by the company to produce a range of original and fruit infused oils that are sold across Northern Ireland as well as to customers in Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

The artisan business, the first in Northern Ireland to produce rapeseed and hemp oils, has won UK Great Taste Awards and Irish National Food Awards for its culinary products.

GM-free seeds for oil have been grown on the family's Waring Estate since 1656. Jane Harnett developed her own label in 2006. Customer feedback was very positive, particularly on the hemp seed oil, then a new oil on the Irish food scene.

Hemp oil is unique among edible oils for its perfect balance of Omega 3,6 and 9 essential fatty acids. Harnett's hemp oil has a distinct earthy and intensely nutty taste. Useful as a dressing for meat, fish or vegetables in place of butter, mixed with balsamic vinegar as a dipping oil for crusty bread, or as a base for salad dressings.

The company also produces a range of salad dressing, including hemp balsamic vinaigrette, hemp garlic and mustard dressing, rapeseed chilli and garlic oil, orange and rosemary oil and lemon and thyme oil. The oils are available in 250ml bottles.