Thirty-one companies have registered their interest in building South Australia’s new $260 million gas-fired power station. 
 
The 250Mw plant is part of about half a billion dollars worth of energy security measures recently announced by the SA Government. 
 
The companies come from Australia, China, Malaysia, Singapore, France, Finland Spain and the UK, something SA Premier Jay Weatherill says shows the international insert in fixing the state’s power woes.
 
Additionally, the premier says 90 expressions of interest have been registered to build a giant battery for storing energy in off-peak times to boost available supplies at peak times.
 
“We’re standing on our own two feet, we’re becoming more self-reliant and we’re getting busy with acting on the plan,” Mr Weatherill told reporters.
 
Another reform – allowing the energy minister to intervene in the state’s electricity market in new ways – will come into effect on April 26. 
 
Finally, the Australian Competition and and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted 24 companies, including some of the state’s largest private employers, permission to seek a joint tender for the immediate supply of electricity.
 
The businesses, comprising 15 per cent of electricity demand in South Australia, say they want to make joint bids to more easily secure reliable and affordable power supplies.