SWITCH TO BE FLICKED FOR START OF PORT AUGUSTA SOLAR THERMAL PROJECT

NXT Senator Rex Patrick and Port Augusta Mayor Sam Johnson will both attend today's grand opening of the field office for SolarReserve's iconic Port Augusta solar thermal project.

This $650 million project will bring a new form of both clean and dispatchable power generation to South Australia and create more than 2,000 direct and indirect local jobs.

The Nick Xenophon Team have been invited to attend the opening in recognition of the critical role former NXT Senator and now SA-Best Leader, Nick Xenophon, had in securing this project. In March 2017, Nick Xenophon held out during negotiations of the Federal Government's tax enterprise bill until such time as a crucial $110 million concessional equity loan was agreed to.

"If it wasn't for the tough negotiations of Nick Xenophon on behalf of South Australia, this project would not have gone ahead," said Rex.

"This facility is a huge first step for energy security and will eventually lead to lower power prices, something desperately needed for both South Australian industry and residents. The jobs that will result from this project are extremely important to this region after the shutdown of the Northern Power Station."