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Port Augusta could swap coal for solar

The ABC is reporting that Port Augusta's two coal-fired power stations could be converted into solar thermal power plants.

The plan comes from Non-Government Organisation Beyond Zero Emissions, and will be put to South Australian Energy Minister Michael O'Brien this week.

Beyond Zero Emissions' Operations Director Mark Ogge says converting the power stations to solar will be much more cost effective than converting to gas, and will allow most current staff to be retained.

No details have yet been released on the size, output or design of the Port Augusta solar thermal power stations, however if approved they would be the first to be built in Australia.

Solar thermal works by harnessing solar energy for heat, and can take on a number of different designs. A small scale, low-temperature example of solar thermal can be found in household solar hot water heaters or solar pool heaters.

Love Energy is encouraged by the support of large-scale solar in South Australia, and will keep you up to date with all the latest news.

For more details, read the ABC's full story...