The Energy Networks Association (ENA) today welcomed the announcement that South Australia will see a concentrated solar thermal generation demonstration plant by the end of the year.

Solastor Australia chairman, John Hewson, announced the company would build a one megawatt, grid connected, demonstration plant in Port Augusta as the first step in its $1.2 billion solar thermal project.

ENA Chief Executive Officer, John Bradley, said the Solastor demonstration plant could highlight the potential for “dispatchable” renewable energy to be provided by concentrated solar thermal technology.