Five reasons why nuclear power is not the right solution for Australia: Summary of AFR's article:
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-an...0230827-p5dzqa
1.
Cost:
Nuclear power is the most expensive form of energy, according to multiple independent studies like GenCost by CSIRO and AEMO.
Renewables (including storage) are already cheaper than nuclear by several multiples.
Costs of emerging technologies like small modular reactors (SMRs) are uncertain and likely high.
2.
Unproven Technology:
No commercial SMRs exist globally, with only two demonstration plants (one in Russia and one in China).
Ontario's plans for SMRs lack cost estimates and environmental approvals, making them unreliable for large-scale deployment.
3.
Slow Deployment:
Building nuclear power plants takes a long time, making them unsuitable for meeting Australia's immediate emissions reduction goals.
Achieving a nuclear plant by the early or mid-2030s is highly unlikely.
4.
Lack of Flexibility:
Nuclear power is not a flexible energy source as it cannot easily be turned on and off, unlike gas-fired power stations which can adapt to fluctuations in renewable energy supply.
5.
Nuclear Waste:
Even SMRs would generate significant nuclear waste, increasing overall waste management burden.
Stanford University study finds
SMRs could double or triple the volume of nuclear waste needing disposal.
Conclusion:
Australia has a comparative advantage in renewable energy, the cheapest and fastest-deployable option.
Choosing nuclear power would be costly, slow, and unnecessary.
After years of climate inaction, Australia needs to focus on proven, cost-effective solutions like renewables, not distractions like nuclear.
These are the five main points addressed in the
AFR's article published article, though it delves deeper into each point with additional arguments and evidence.