Avant Brands Achieves Operational Efficiency with Major LED Lighting Retrofit

Avant Brands has successfully completed a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit at its 80,000-square-foot Flowr cultivation facility in Kelowna, B.C. By transitioning from traditional high-pressure sodium fixtures to advanced LED technology, the company has significantly reduced electricity consumption and peak demand while positioning itself for improved long-term operational margins and enhanced environmental stewardship.

Key project takeaways

• Completed a full-facility lighting upgrade across 80,000 square feet of cultivation space.

• Achieved a final project cost of $1.93 million, finishing 28% under the initial $2.70 million estimate.

• Secured government energy-efficiency incentives to offset a substantial portion of the capital expenditure.

• Projected annual reduction of up to 36 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions.

Strategic capital investment

The project demonstrates a disciplined approach to facility management and capital allocation. By mobilizing in late 2025 and completing the commissioning process by March 2026, Avant Brands managed to deliver the upgrade ahead of schedule and significantly under budget. This financial efficiency was further bolstered by utilizing government energy-efficiency incentive programs, which provide a clear model for how commercial operations can leverage external support to modernize infrastructure. For property managers and facility operators, this case underscores the importance of evaluating total project costs against long-term utility savings and available rebate structures.

Operational and environmental impact

The transition to full-spectrum, above- and below-canopy LED lighting has yielded immediate technical benefits. Metered data from the Flowr facility confirms a marked reduction in both electricity usage and peak demand. Beyond the direct savings on power consumption, the shift to LEDs reduces the thermal load within cultivation rooms. Because LED fixtures produce significantly less heat than traditional high-pressure sodium alternatives, the facility requires less intensive HVAC cooling, further driving down operational expenses. This dual-benefit approach—lowering lighting energy while simultaneously reducing cooling requirements—is a hallmark of modern high-performance lighting design.

Cultivation quality and long-term performance

Beyond the balance sheet, the infrastructure upgrade is designed to support consistent production quality. The new lighting configuration is engineered to optimize cannabinoid and terpene profiles, ensuring that the facility maintains its competitive edge in the premium cannabis market. By integrating professional-grade LED systems, the company has improved its unit economics while maintaining high standards for yield and quality. This project serves as a practical example of how targeted investments in energy-efficient technology can simultaneously serve as a driver for profitability and a commitment to sustainable facility operations.

Sources

• Avant Brands Completes $1.93M LED Retrofit, Stock Titan.

• Avant Brands completes LED lighting retrofit at Flowr facility, TipRanks.