Port Augusta: embracing solar thermal a vital first step on the path to 100% renewable energy

Replacing coal-fired power plants could create clean energy jobs and help meet renewable energy targets. So why are governments dragging their feet?

With discussions on solar thermal in Port Augusta heating up, it is encouraging that the federal government has linked clean energy innovation funding to real transitions for fossil fuel-dependent communities like this that want to make the switch to renewable energy.

Last week Port Augusta residents, including the veteran power station worker Gary Rowbottom, met with politicians in Canberra to ask for federal support to finance and build a solar thermal power plant to replace the Northern and Playford B coal-fired power plants. Playford B has already been mothballed and Northern is due to close around 8 May.