Au Nuclear power: 5 reasons to say NO

[Sparty]

The AFR's article is about the five reasons why the Australian Labor Party's Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, believes that nuclear power is the wrong solution for Australia's energy transition.

The five reasons are:

It is too expensive. The cost of building and operating nuclear power plants has increased significantly in recent years, and it is not clear that nuclear power can be made competitive with renewables in the long term.

It is not a flexible source of energy. Nuclear power plants cannot be easily turned on and off, which makes them difficult to integrate with a grid that is increasingly reliant on variable renewable energy sources like solar and wind.

It has a long construction time. It can take many years to build a nuclear power plant, which means that it would not be a quick fix for Australia's energy problems.
It is a risky technology. Nuclear power plants pose a risk of accidents, such as the Chernobyl disaster in 1986 and the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in 2011.

It creates radioactive waste. Nuclear power plants produce radioactive waste that must be disposed of safely, which is a costly and difficult process.
Bowen argues that these five reasons make nuclear power a poor choice for Australia's energy transition. He believes that Australia should focus on investing in renewables and energy efficiency, which are more affordable, flexible, and sustainable options.

It is important to note that there are also arguments in favor of nuclear power. Some people believe that it is a necessary part of the solution to climate change, as it is a low-carbon source of energy that can generate large amounts of electricity. Others argue that the risks of nuclear power are overstated, and that the benefits outweigh the risks.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to pursue nuclear power is a complex one that must be made on a case-by-case basis. There is no easy answer, and the best solution for Australia will depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of nuclear power, the availability of renewable energy, and the country's risk tolerance. Read the full article it contains several links and much more information.

[Sparty]

Big question-mark over new nuclear’: German utility CEO https://www.afr.com/companies/energy...0230901-p5e1f3