Construction on the 2000 square metre greenhouses - which will use solar energy to desalinate water from the Upper Spencer Gulf for the production of fresh vegetables and fruit - is set to begin in the coming weeks.

Seawater Greenhouse (Australia) last year announced it would build a commercial seawater greenhouse at Port Paterson, six kilometres south of Port Augusta, after deeming it boasted the ideal climate to trial their new “green” horticulture industry.

Last week Regional Development Minister Paul Caica visited the site with Seawater Greenhouse (Australia) director of operations John Rivandi to announce a State Government infrastructure grant of $115,000 towards the project.

The funds will assist Seawater Greenhouse with the costs of water desalination equipment.

“It will reduce horticulture reliance on freshwater and allow more growers to re-locate from the Murray Darling Basin,” he said.

He said the greenhouse boasted the potential to provide greater options in the face of water and food security. He said while only two jobs would be required to establish the project, there was great scope for local employment with ongoing developments.

Mr Rivandi welcomed the funding.

He said he was confident the pilot project would prove to be commercially viable after successful trials in Abu Dhabi, Spain and Oman.

He said Seawater Greenhouse (Australia) anticipated producing 1 million kilograms of fresh produce by next year.

“Pending building approval within the next fortnight, we hope to start building the greenhouses in April for completion in May.

“We’re hoping to plant our first crop in late August with crops ready for picking by October,” Mr Rivandi said.

The project has a $1.48 million price tag, with infrastructure estimated at $700,000.