The push for nuclear reactors in Australia, as proposed by the Federal Coalition, faces strong opposition from experts, environmentalists, and the public. The plan is criticized for its potential to exacerbate climate emissions, high costs, long construction times, and significant environmental and social risks.
In contrast, renewable energy offers a faster, safer, and more cost-effective path to achieving Australia’s climate goals.
A Massive Blow to Climate Targets
New analysis from Solutions for Climate Australia (pdf) reveals that adopting nuclear reactors in Australia would result in more than two billion tonnes of additional climate emissions.
This would be equivalent to emitting double the 2022 annual emissions of Oman every year for the next 25 years. This scenario would significantly derail Australia’s climate goals and worsen the impacts of climate change.
The analysis, based on public statements from Coalition leaders Peter Dutton, Ted O’Brien, and David Littleproud, projects a halt to utility-scale renewable energy projects, continued rollout of rooftop solar, and reliance on gas-fired electricity to bridge the gap as coal plants retire and nuclear reactors come online.
This plan contrasts sharply with the Australian Energy Market Operator’s (AEMO) Integrated System Plan, which outlines a step-change scenario prioritizing renewable energy.
Elly Baxter, Senior Campaigner at Solutions for Climate Australia, emphasized, “This analysis demonstrates that nuclear reactors in Australia would contribute to worse climate outcomes. Nuclear is a worrying distraction from getting on with the urgent job at hand: replacing polluting coal and gas with the sun and wind technology we have right now.”
Decades of Delay
National climate group Solutions for Climate Australia expressed profound disappointment in Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s proposal for further decades of delay in addressing climate change.
Dr. Barry Traill, Director of Solutions for Climate Australia, highlighted the tragedy of the Federal Liberal Party’s lack of a concrete climate plan amidst increasing climate disasters.
“It is a tragedy that the Federal Liberal Party has no plan to stop the increasing climate disasters which are directly killing Australians, and damaging communities, agriculture, and businesses across the country, and globally,” said Traill.
He further stressed the need for decisive action this decade to protect farmers, food supply, businesses, and trade from the escalating threats of climate change.
The Federal Coalition’s stance is seen as out of step with the electorate, who decisively voted for more robust climate action in the 2022 election. Instead of presenting a credible plan, the Coalition’s nuclear proposal represents a continuation of ineffective policies that failed to address the urgency of the climate crisis.
Expert Condemnation
Energy and health experts, as well as regional and global communities, have strongly condemned the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy. The CSIRO’s recent GenCost report underscores that renewable energy remains the fastest, safest, and lowest-cost energy option.
Clean energy sources like solar and wind already constitute 40% of Australia’s national electricity grid, and one in three households has installed solar panels. Maintaining this course is essential to reducing emissions this decade and avoiding the worst impacts of climate change.
Andrew Bray, National Director of RE-Alliance, criticized the Coalition’s reliance on non-existent small modular reactors (SMRs) and large-scale nuclear plants, which would commit Australia to a polluting and unreliable energy system for the next 20 years.
Bray emphasized the current progress in renewable energy and the potential benefits for regional communities if governments and industries invest in sustained community engagement.
Amandine Denis Ryan, CEO of IEEFA Australia, echoed these concerns, noting that nuclear power projects have consistently taken longer and cost more than expected.
“For a country like Australia, starting from scratch, we expect that nuclear power reactors would not reach commercial operation before the 2040s, would come at a high cost, and require substantial government support,” said Ryan.
Financial and Practical Hurdles
The financial viability of nuclear power is another significant concern. Nuclear projects, both SMRs and large reactors, are notorious for cost overruns and extended timelines.
The Flamanville EPR in France serves as a stark example, with costs having more than quadrupled despite France’s extensive expertise in nuclear energy.
The 1.65 GW Flamanville EPR reactor is anticipated to be completed and start supplying electricity in late 2024, 17 years after construction commenced. The latest cost estimate stands at AUD $22 billion, translating to approximately AUD $13 billion per gigawatt.
Nuclear plants are not well-suited to complement renewable energy generation. Nuclear reactors operate best in a ‘baseload’ mode, while the future energy landscape, dominated by variable renewables like wind and solar, requires flexible and responsive energy sources.
At low utilization factors, the cost of electricity from nuclear reactors could become prohibitively high, making them an impractical choice for Australia’s energy mix.
Mia Pepper, Campaign Director at the Conservation Council of WA, described the Coalition’s nuclear power plans as a clear distraction from real climate action. “Nuclear power is expensive, slow, and dangerous and simply cannot deliver the energy needed in the time frame we have to decarbonize,” said Pepper.
Western Australia is already transitioning to cheaper, safer, and cleaner renewable alternatives, and diverting to nuclear energy would be economically and environmentally counterproductive.
Broader Implications and Risks
The potential environmental and social risks associated with nuclear power are significant. Nuclear plants require large volumes of water for cooling, posing a serious risk in a future with uncertain water availability.
The management of high-level nuclear waste, security issues, and the potential for catastrophic accidents remain unresolved challenges.
Masayoshi Iyoda, a campaigner at 350.org Japan, highlighted the undemocratic and risky nature of nuclear energy. “You cannot call nuclear clean energy and completely ignore the voices of the victims of nuclear disasters and the burden on future generations. Nuclear is simply too costly, too risky, too undemocratic, and too time-consuming,” said Iyoda.
Joseph Sikulu, Managing Director of 350.org Pacific, warned against Australia venturing into nuclear energy, emphasizing the harmful legacy of nuclear power in the Asia Pacific region.
“The possibility of Australia venturing into nuclear is dangerous and concerning, and a distraction from what we should really be focused on – the just transition to renewable energy,” said Sikulu.
Nuclear Reactors: A Disastrous Climate Gamble for Australia
The focus should remain on expanding renewable energy infrastructure and ensuring that regional communities benefit from the clean energy transition.
As climate disasters intensify, decisive and immediate action on climate change is imperative, and nuclear energy is seen as a distraction from the urgent need to reduce emissions and protect the environment.
Further reading
Atomic Awakening: A New Look At The History And Future Of Nuclear Power Paperback, 2010 by James Mahaffey
Atomic Accidents Paperback, 2015 by James Mahaffey
The Making of the Atomic Bomb: 25th Anniversary Edition Paperback, 2012 by Richard Rhodes
Nuclear Reactor Analysis 1st Edition by James J. Duderstadt, Louis J. Hamilton
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