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Development of a business plan and preparation of a RAS fish farm
Pre-design preparation is the first working stage before designing a RAS complex. We define the concept of the farm, select technology, calculate resources and the integrated economy, formulate requirements for the site, building and engineering systems. As a result, a set of materials for the investment decision and transition to design.
Pre-design study of the RAS complex - technological layout
Short answer
Fish farm feasibility and business planning helps fix the technical logic of a fish farm before major spending on construction or equipment. It reduces redesign risk and gives a clear implementation path. A feasibility stage clarifies the site, production concept, basic economics, risks and next steps before major investment.
What is this
What is pre-project preparation
This is an enlarged engineering, technological and economic study of the future economy. It is needed not for issuing construction documentation, but in order to understand, even before design, what kind of complex is needed, what resources will be required and how realistic the project is in specific conditions.
The type of aquatic organism, productivity, cultivation scheme, composition of technological modules, requirements for the site and building, needs for water, energy, heating and ventilation, as well as capital and operating costs are studied.
ImportantThe standard composition of pre-project preparation is a basic technical and technological and enlarged economic study. A detailed business plan according to bank standards, a design of the building and engineering systems, hydraulic calculations and some related work are not included by default and are agreed upon separately.
Why is this necessary?
Why pre-design before design and procurement?
The RAS farm is an investment and production facility. A mistake at the start leads not just to higher prices, but to incorrect power, inconvenient operation, poor economics, or alterations after launch. The three most common mistakes:
Error in concept
Wrong fish, power or technology - and the object does not meet the investor's goals. On paper the farm is profitable, but in reality it performs worse than expected.
Wrong budget
They underestimate installation, construction, networks, personnel, feed and startup - the project requires additional investments already in the process of implementation.
Inappropriate site
The building or site limits productivity, maintenance, and equipment layout. Correcting after the start is more expensive than checking beforehand.
The price of a mistakeThe cost of a mistake at the planning stage is from $50k to $940k and 1–2 years of lost time. The pre-design shows weaknesses before major expenses begin - and is included in the cost of further design.
Pre-project and business plan
How are pre-project and business plan related?
Pre-project preparation answers the question of what the facility should be like in terms of technology, resources and basic economics - this is the working basis for the decision to launch. A business plan is the next level of project packaging for a bank, investor or subsidy: it is based on pre-project materials, but is drawn up separately to a specific standard.
By default they are not included in the standard composition
business plan according to the standards of banks and other organizations
detailed marketing research and supplier analysis
detailed financial model beyond basic aggregated calculations
design of sections not related to the “TX” section
hydraulic calculations of pipelines, calculations of quality of life, electrical diagrams, examination and other special sections
Stage tasks
What key tasks does the stage solve?
1
Selecting a project concept
Type of aquatic organism, product format, productivity, growing cycle, composition of technological blocks.
2
Feasibility check
Requirements for the site, building, make-up water, heating, ventilation, sewerage, energy supply.
3
Selection of technology
Basic technological line, operating modes, selection and description of modules, equipment requirements.
Capital and operating costs, profit, payback, basic inputs for financing.
6
Preparing for the next stage
A set of initial solutions and enlarged technical specifications for the transition to design.
Scope of work
What work is being done
Direction
Scope of work
Initial solutions
Collection and analysis of initial data, formation of technical specifications for the technological part, clarification of project goals.
Technology and production
Description of the aquatic organism and conditions of detention, diagram of the production line, description of the modules, production plan, calculations of cycles and fish movements.
Raw materials and operations
Planting material, feed, consumables, keeping fish, feeding, sorting, monitoring and maintenance of equipment.
Site and infrastructure
Premises, enlarged requirements for the building, water supply and sewerage, heating, ventilation, energy supply, lighting, air and oxygen.
Equipment and layout
Specification of main and additional equipment, complex layout, arrangement of equipment and premises.
Economics and project launch
Capital and operating costs, consolidated profit and payback, calendar plan, list of suppliers.
Documentation
What kit does the customer receive?
The basic set of pre-design preparation includes enlarged calculations and explanatory materials.
Section
What does the customer get?
Summary and Summary Parameters
Summary of the project, general table of complex parameters.
Technology
Description of the aquatic organism, conditions of detention, general scheme of the RAS and operation of the modules.
Production
Production plan, cycle calculations, fish movement through the pools, basic operations.
Resources
Planting material, feed, consumables, requirements for water and other resources.
Operation
Fish maintenance, feeding, sorting, equipment control and maintenance, personnel.
Equipment and premises
Specification of equipment, description of premises, enlarged requirements for the building and engineering systems.
Clarification of the layout and interfaces with the facility: layouts, technological diagrams of modules, high-altitude diagram, points of supply of water, sewerage, HVAC, electrical and lighting, technical specifications for subcontractors, pipeline plans and automation.
Working documentation
Installation details: assembly drawings and axonometry of pipelines, diagrams of oxygen pipelines, specifications of pipes, fittings and fittings, tank drawings, technical specifications for metal structures.
Formats
Four formats for project development
The choice depends on how detailed the farm needs to be worked out now - from an express guideline to an investment package for financing.
Express calculation
Quick reference
The order of the budget and composition of a typical farm without deep individual study.
Individual calculation
One scenario
Development of a specific option for your task: layout, equipment, open specification.
★ recommended
Pre-project
Recommended option
Optimal for the decision to launch: technology, site, economics, risks and roadmap.
Investment pre-project
For financing
Maximum elaboration for the bank, investors and partners: market, business plan, extended financial model.
Section
Express
Individual
Pre-project ★
Invest
Layout and placement of equipment
Sketch
Detailed
Detailed
Detailed
Specification and prices
Aggregated by blocks
Open, by product
Open, by product
Open, by product
Calculation matrix
—
Word
Excel with formulas
Excel with formulas
Calculation scenarios
1
1
up to 2
up to 3
Investment calculation
Technology by block
Technology, open prices
+ construction (enlarged)
+ construction + contractors’ CP
Explanatory note
—
Brief
Detailed
Detailed + market
Finmodel
—
—
According to company standards
Expanded, for financing
Business plan and market analysis
—
—
—
UNIDO / bank standard
Technology price guarantee
—
±10%, no guarantee
3 months
6 months
Iterations of edits
—
—
1
2
What to chooseFor most who are seriously considering a launch, the Pre-Project is optimal: it is deep enough to test the technology, site, budget, economics and risks, but does not overload with a banking business plan if it is not yet needed. “Individual calculation” - for a simple task with one scenario; “Invest pre-project” - when the materials will be viewed by the bank, investors or partners.
What is the result of the stage
A coherent concept of the farm and clear project boundaries.
Fixed requirements for the site, building, water, heating, ventilation, sewerage and electricity.
Understanding the composition of process units, equipment and general layout.
Integrated calculations for resources, personnel, capital and operating costs.
Basic model of project economics: costs, profit, payback.
A set of initial materials for the transition to design and business plan.
What is needed from the customer to get started?
topographic plan of the site - if the site has already been selected
plan of an existing building - during reconstruction
water analysis according to specified parameters
completed questionnaire and initial housekeeping instructions
Examples
Examples of completed materials
An example of ready-made pre-project preparation materials is a RAS project for growing Atlantic salmon 20 tons/year.
Project Summary
Scheme of operation of the RAS technological line
Layout of the complex and arrangement of equipment
Production plan and cycle calculation
Economic calculation
Project implementation schedule
The next step is design
After agreeing on the concept, performance, layout and enlarged economics, the project moves into the design stage: detailed technological solutions, connection points, pipeline diagrams, technical specifications for related sections and, if necessary, working documentation.
Clear answers to the questions that usually appear before a RAS fish farm project starts.
When do you need fish farm feasibility and business planning?
It is useful before buying equipment, starting construction, renovating an existing farm or launching a new production line, when an engineering mistake can be expensive.
Can the work start remotely?
Yes. Initial review, calculations and consultations can start from drawings, photos, videos, water analysis and a questionnaire. Site visits are added when they are technically necessary.
What should be prepared before the first discussion?
Prepare the target fish species, planned capacity, country or region, site or building data, water source, available utilities, existing drawings and business goals.
Application
Order pre-project preparation
Tell us about the idea, the type of fish and the site - we will discuss the scope of the pre-project and prepare a proposal. If necessary, we will help with a business plan for a bank or investor.
We’ll call you back, clarify the introductory information and offer the format and scope of the pre-project.
Pre-design study of the RAS complex - technological layout
