A campaign to transform Port Augusta’s coal fired power to renewable solar thermal technology is gaining momentum.
Lobby group Repower Port Augusta has announced the result of a community vote that received 4000 responses, with 98 per cent in favour of solar thermal power over the alternative option of gas.
The coal-fired stations are to be downsized due to supply and demand factors.
Port Augusta City Council, Business Port Augusta, and Alinta Energy, which owns the coal plants, have all backed the proposed transformation to solar thermal technology.
Council Mayor Joy Baluch says the shift in power generation is the “most crucial issue” she has faced in more than 20 years as mayor.
“The Port Augusta community has spoken up and it is time that the Federal and State governments get behind this proposal and support clean air and jobs for the town,” she said.
Repower Port Augusta chair Liz Zyla said the purpose of the community campaign was not to force a decision but to prompt conversation between the community and governments.
She said the current coal-fired power stations had come to the end of their working lives and the community had the opportunity to create jobs by building a solar thermal plant.
Beyond Zero Emissions released a report earlier this year that claimed 1500 construction jobs and 360 on-going jobs would be created by the solar thermal option.
Repower Port Augusta’s Daniel Spencer said the vote result sent a clear message to governments.
“We have an opportunity to build the first solar thermal plant with storage here in Australia – now our leaders need to step up and take it.”
The story Port Augusta pushes for renewable energy first appeared on Farm Online.
