Environmental Group Advocates Against Nuclear Power Due to Excessive Water Usage in Australia
According to the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group, nuclear power stations consume around 20-25 percent more water than coal-fired plants.
An environmental group has stated that nuclear power is not suitable for Australia due to its significant water demand.
During a recent inquiry hearing on nuclear power generation, Jane Sultana, the secretary of the Latrobe Valley Sustainability Group, expressed concerns about the water consumption of nuclear power plants and its environmental impact.
Citing information from experts who have spoken to her group, Sultana highlighted that nuclear power stations use approximately 20-25 percent more water than coal-fired plants.
“The increasing demand for limited local water supplies means that we cannot support nuclear development in the La Trobe Valley or anywhere in Australia,” she told the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy.
The Latrobe Valley, currently home to three coal-fired power plants, has been identified as a potential site for a nuclear power station under the Opposition’s nuclear strategy.
The Opposition plans to repurpose existing transmission infrastructure and utilize the workforce from retired coal-fired plants in the area for nuclear development, a practice considered feasible by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Latrobe Valley’s Water Insufficient: Environmental Group
However, Sultana emphasized that the Latrobe Valley’s water resources may not be adequate to meet the demands of a nuclear power plant.
Sultana further explained that the ongoing coal mine rehabilitation project in the region will require significant water resources in the coming decades.
