Australian Premier Criticizes Ideological Control of Nuclear Power Debate
The debate is being derailed by ‘unpragmatic ideology’ from both the right and the left, according to Peter Malinauskus.
Ideology is hindering Australia from deciding on the most suitable energy generation for its future, as stated by South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskus.
“I have strong views about this,” Mr. Malinauskus said. “I detest the idea of a debate about nuclear energy that is completely driven by ideology on both the left and the right. The reason for the current challenges in the national electricity market is because too many decisions have been influenced by unpragmatic ideology,” he shared with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on April 5.
He expressed his desire for his state to engage in the nuclear power industry as a crucial method to decarbonize the energy sector, despite opposition from counterparts at both federal and state levels to the federal Opposition’s proposal to construct more reactors.
Nevertheless, he cautioned that building large-scale infrastructure to support a nuclear-centered power grid was not financially viable for the state. He mentioned that “every single objective, independent analysis that has been conducted has indicated that nuclear power would increase power costs in Australia rather than reduce them.”
‘A Hundred Years’ Time’
Until technology advances to produce more affordable power, which Mr. Malinauskus suggested might take place “perhaps one day in a hundred years time,” he emphasized the importance of sticking to practical solutions. For him, this involves renewables with gas-fired generation to provide firmness.
This stands in contrast to his previous stance during an interview on Sky News on April 4, where he appeared uncertain about the impact of nuclear power on prices. He expressed that “whether or not [nuclear] actually is going to make power prices cheaper or more expensive in this country is what I think we should be debating.”
He also exhibited confidence in his state’s future role, stating, “We are going to have a nuclear industry in South Australia, which my government supports. This is something I wholeheartedly embrace, especially considering that we are constructing nuclear submarines (AUKUS) just a few kilometers away, showcasing the most advanced technology in the nuclear fuel cycle,” he pointed out.
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Currently, South Australia depends on renewable resources, particularly wind and solar, for up to 75 percent of its energy generation. Despite surplus power supply due to constant sunlight and high wind speeds, power prices for consumers and businesses in SA are currently the highest in the world.
However, Premier Malinauskas informed Sky News that renewable solutions have appeared to be “far more economically viable than a nuclear alternative.”
