The Project

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The project is to be located approximately 30 kms north of the town of Port Augusta on a vast pastoral station.

PORT AUGUSTA, SOUTH AUSTRALIA

The Aurora Solar Energy Project brings the most advanced power generation technology to South Australia, supporting its energy security and carbon reduction objectives. It also represents a significant opportunity for South Australian workers and businesses to participate in this exciting project.

The Aurora Project located near Port Augusta is a 150 megawatt solar thermal power station incorporating 8 hours of storage (1100 megawatts-hours). Under normal operating conditions the plant will have a capacity of about 135 megawatts, with the ability to increase that output in favourable conditions, such as in the evening. Aurora will deliver over 500 gigawatt-hours of energy annually – providing fully dispatchable baseload electricity to the network when electricity is needed most. Storage will enable the solar thermal station to operate just like a conventional coal or gas power station, reliably generating electricity day and night – except without any emissions. The project is to be located approximately 30kms north of the town on a vast pastoral station.

The Aurora project will also create much needed jobs for South Australia. The project is expected to create up to 4,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs during construction, with a large portion in South Australia, and around 50 long-term jobs during the operations phase. 60% South Australian content is targeted for the construction phase which would support an entirely new industry for South Australia. The solar thermal supply chain which would be developed in the state would be leveraged for other solar thermal power station projects in South Australia and the broader region.

How it Works Diagram - click on image to enlarge
Our commitment to honouring the Charter - click on image to enlarge

Project Overview

  • Location: Approximately 30 kms north of Port Augusta, South Australia
  • Technology: Solar Thermal with Molten Salt Thermal Energy Storage
  • Size: 150 MW facility output
  • Storage: 8 hours of full load storage, enabling on-demand energy production day and night
  • Electricity Production: More than 500 gigawatt-hours annually, which is around 5% of South Australia’s energy needs
  • Homes Powered: Equivalent of over 90,000 homes, day and night
  • Dry Cooling: Significantly reduces the use of water, saving millions of litres of water each year
  • Project Status:  Generation Project Agreement (GPA) with the State Government of South Australia signed August 14, 2017

Economic Benefits

  • Heliostats will be assembled in South Australia
  • SolarReserve has its permanent Australian headquarters located at 26 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
  • Aurora, an innovative project will create opportunities for South Australian businesses to participate in the project
  • SolarReserve will partner with local universities to further solar thermal research and education in South Australia

Key Project Benefits

  • No requirement for natural gas or oil back up – completely emission free
  • Supports Federal and State Renewable Energy Targets
  • Energy storage provides a firm, reliable electricity product on-demand, day and night
  • Provides ancillary services that enhance grid stability
  • Targeting 60% of the value of sourcing (e.g., equipment) and services to come from South Australia in the construction phase, which would support an entirely new industry for South Australia
  • 200,000 tonnes of CO2 will be displaced each year

Job Creation

  • 4,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs created during construction
  • 650 full time construction jobs for a duration of 30 months
  • Equipment and services purchased across South Australia
  • 50 full-time, permanent jobs for operations and maintenance

Supplier Portal

You can find the Aurora Solar Supplier Portal here.

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