Dutton unveils plan for seven nuclear plants across Australia

Opposition leader Peter Dutton has intensified his pro-nuclear energy campaign by unveiling seven potential sites for nuclear power plants across the country.

Mr Dutton has positioned the switch to nuclear power as a central element of the opposition’s energy policy in the lead-up to the next Federal election.

The eagerly-awaited announcement of his preferred sites for new nuclear power stations has elicited a mixed response of anti-nuclear outcry and support.

Repurposed sites

Mr Dutton stated that the seven sites would be situated at power stations that have either closed or are scheduled to close, with two located in both New South Wales and Queensland and one each in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.

His favoured locations include the Liddell and Mount Piper power stations in NSW, the Tarong and Callide power stations in Queensland, the Loy Yang power station in Victoria, the Northern power station in SA and WA’s Muja power station.

Both Muja and Northern have been designated as small modular reactor sites only.

‘Nuclear’s time has come’

“Nuclear energy for Australia is an idea whose time has come,” Mr Dutton declared..

Every Australian deserves and should expect access to cheaper, cleaner and consistent electricity but, under Labor, this isn’t happening.”

“Right now, households and businesses around the country are suffering from Labor’s expensive renewables-only approach.”

Mr Dutton questioned the current government’s target of achieving 65% to 75% in emissions reduction by 2035, noting that they have yet to release modelling and future power price estimates.

“Power bills have already increased by up to $1,000 for many Australians, despite promises of a $275 reduction.”

“Moreover, Labor’s climate target of 43% emissions reduction by 2030 has become unachievable.”

Integral role

Mr Dutton – who is about to embark on a nationwide tour to outline the merits of the plan – emphasised that nuclear power must play an integral role if Australia is to achieve a balanced and consistent energy mix.

He noted that with 90% of baseload electricity – predominantly from coal-fired power stations – nearing the end of life within the next decade, nuclear energy has proven effective in reducing electricity prices and emissions globally, complementing renewable energy and gas.

“A key advantage of modern zero-emissions nuclear plants is that they can be integrated into existing grids,” he said.

“This means they can effectively replace retired or retiring coal plants and avoid much of the new expenditure required for Labor’s ‘renewables-only’ system including new transmission poles and wires, costs that will ultimately be passed on to consumers in the form of higher bills.”

Huge infrastructure demands

He declared that Labor’s strategy would require 58 million solar panels, 3,500 new industrial wind turbines and up to 28,000 kilometres of new transmission lines across the country.

“Energy experts have warned that the cost of Labor’s rollout will be between $1.2 and $1.5 trillion,” Mr Dutton said.

“No country in the world relies solely on solar and wind as Labor is proposing.”

“By contrast, 32 countries are operating zero-emissions nuclear plants and another 50 are looking to do so.”

“Of the world’s 20 largest economies, Australia is the only one not using nuclear energy or moving towards using it.”

MCA backs nuclear

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) immediately expressed support for the nuclear power plans.

“The coalition’s nuclear policy provides a crucial pathway for Australia’s industries to reduce emissions cost-effectively while maintaining access to reliable baseload power,” said MCA chief executive officer Tania Constable.

“High future demand for reliable and clean energy means that all energy types, including nuclear power, will be indispensable in meeting Australia’s future energy needs.”

Ms Constable highlighted Australia’s strong global reputation for non-proliferation and its world-class uranium industry that includes almost a third of global uranium reserves and supplies around 10% of global uranium used for zero-emissions electricity, positioning it well to lead in nuclear energy development.

“Nuclear energy stands out as a reliable, zero-emissions, 24/7 baseload energy source that can deliver long-term stability and support for Australia’s miners, manufacturers and communities,” she said.

‘Nuclear fantasy’

For once, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Greens are in agreement, both describing the nuclear plan as “fantasy.”

Speaking on local radio while in Perth, the PM remarked, “the market has sorted it out.”

“That’s why they’re saying not just that they’ll have this nuclear fantasy but it’ll be a taxpayer-funded nuclear fantasy as well because the markets won’t fund something that is 15 years away, something that is the most expensive form of new energy.”

“We know that the energy transition is necessary,” he added.

“Fourteen coal-fired power plants announced their closures under the former coalition government.”

“It’s a matter of whether the rollout of renewables with solar continues in order to secure energy supply, or whether we just stop all that happening and wait 15 years for the most expensive form of energy to come back online.”