European energy giant Enel to build $400m solar plant in Port Augusta

EUROPEAN energy giant Enel has received final approval for a $400 million solar farm on the outskirts of Port Augusta, the second huge solar project pledged in the area.

PLANS: Enel says it will install a 275MW solar farm near Port Augusta. Picture: Alessandra Benedetti.

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EUROPEAN energy giant Enel has received final approval for a $400 million solar farm on the outskirts of Port Augusta.

Enel and the Dutch Infrastructure Fund plan to have the 275MW facility — already under construction — operating on Bungala Aboriginal Corporation land in early 2019.

About 200 jobs are expected to be created during construction, which will involve 860,000 solar panels across 585 hectares.

Enel Green Power chief Antonio Cammisecra said the company wanted to boost its Australian presence.

“The project marks the first step of our growth strategy in a country which boasts such an abundant resource base and whose renewable capacity is expected to surge in the next years,” Mr Cammisecra said.