Australian solar thermal facility to provide power at AUD78/MWh
US solar thermal company SolarReserve is to build a 150 MW project in Port Augusta, South Australia. The Aurora Solar Energy Project will cost AUD650m ($511m) and will incorporate eight hours of storage in the form of molten salt. SolarReserve was chosen by the South Australian government as the lowest-cost option among the shortlisted bids and will cost no more than AUD78/MWh. Construction will begin next year with delivery expected in 2020.
SolarReserve has been selected by the government of South Australia state to develop a 150MW solar thermal project at Port Augusta.



Construction of the A$650m (US$511m) facility, dubbed Aurora, will start next year and is expected to be completed in 2020.

The government has signed a power purchase agreement with the US company for the supply of energy from the project for 20 years.Aurora will provide 100% of the Australian state's power needs, with the government set to pay an expected levelized price of A$75/MWh, and no more than A$78/MWh."We are supporting this nation-leading renewable energy project because it will deliver more competition into our energy market and put downward pressure on power prices for households and businesses," South Australian premier Jay Weatherill said.