There’s no doubt it was extreme weather toppling transmission lines that led to South Australia going black, but it is also clear we need a plan for our energy going forward.
That does not mean turning back to dirty energy. Here, in Port Augusta, we know that’s not going to happen. Demolition of the old power station has begun.
South Australia needs strong leadership now so that we can start building the next generation of renewable technologies with storage, starting with dispatchable solar thermal in Port Augusta. Doing so would secure our power supply with on-demand clean energy and create a number of good jobs with it, seeding a new industry.
The move to a more decentralised energy system is underway, not just here but around the world.
The blackouts that followed wild storms in New York meant leaders saw the need to deliver the next generation of renewables both for the environment and for energy security.
Our leaders at the federal and state level need to stop politicking and do the same.
Companies are lining up ready to build solar thermal in Port Augusta and start a new industry. Most recently we heard that building one plant could lead to five more being built in regional South Australia supplying 25 per cent of our state’s power from the sun, on-demand.
Not only would this benefit our region with new jobs, it would provide a local power source if storms take down our network again.
No power source could’ve kept the lights on once the system tripped.
But we’re hearing from experts in the industry that say if solar thermal had been built in the region, power could’ve been brought back sooner to the areas who were blacked out much longer than Adelaide.
Leadership is needed to seize the job and industry benefits building solar thermal in Port Augusta will deliver.
Before the Federal Election, building solar thermal in Port Augusta was named as the number one priority by the Coalition for clean energy funding. It’s time to see that promise delivered.Key to the funding being delivered and a project being viable is a long term power purchase agreement.
The South Australian Government is in the perfect position to provide it. Port Augusta desperately needs Jay Weatherill and Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg to get together and lock in the necessary agreements to bring solar thermal to Port Augusta.
This is a clear, practical step both governments can take to show us they are serious about securing a clean, secure, power supply and supporting jobs in regional South Australia.
South Australia’s future can be powered by an array of renewable technologies with storage, let’s make sure our leaders deliver it. Sam Johnson is Mayor of Port Augusta
Sam Johnson: Solar power must be provided to regional centres such as Port Augusta to provide electricity security – and jobs
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/sam-johnson-solar-power-must-be-provided-to-regional-centres-such-as-port-augusta-to-provide-electricity-security/news-story/4ffcdfeb9fc35ef3f8cbfe0eea1c9bdc October 10, 2016 THE political hoo-ha over renewable energy in South Australia over recent weeks has revealed a serious lack of leadership when South Australian towns like Port Augusta need it most.
Antinuclear 
12th October 2016
The Editor
The Advertiser
Recent failures of the South Australian electricity industry can be attributed to a number of causes including privatisation, transmission line technology, acts of man, increased storm intensity, computer software, bad planning, and poor regulation. Closing the Port Augusta power station is not a candidate.
Given the fact that the relatively new Pelican Point power station was not generating electricity either at the time of the huge increases in wholesale electricity prices or at the time of the South Australian blackout then it makes no sense to blame the closing of the ancient Port Augusta power station for either of these events.
Dennis Matthews
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[…] Solar power needed, to bring energy security and jobs to Port Augusta, South Australia – Most recently we heard that building one plant could lead to five more being built in regional South Australia supplying 25 per cent of our state’s power from the sun, on-demand. Not only would this benefit our region with new jobs, it would provide … […]
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[…] Solar power needed, to bring energy security and jobs to Port Augusta, South Australia – Most recently we heard that building one plant could lead to five more being built in regional South Australia supplying 25 per cent of our state’s power from the sun, on-demand. Not only would this benefit our region with new jobs, it would provide a … […]
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