Opposition in Australia Vows to Construct 7 Nuclear Power Plants by 2050
According to Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, the upcoming election will serve as a referendum on whether the nation will adopt nuclear energy.
On June 19, the federal opposition announced plans to construct seven nuclear reactors across Australia. The Liberal-National Coalition aims to repurpose existing coal-fired power stations like Loy Yang, Callide, Tarong, Port Augusta, Collie, Mount Piper, and Liddell for nuclear facilities.
These privately owned sites will be acquired by the government and managed by a Commonwealth corporation similar to the National Broadband Network and Snowy Hydro companies. Initial projects will involve either the AP1000 or APR1400 reactor models by 2037, with a full roll-out scheduled for the 2040s ahead of the 2050 net-zero target.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton criticized the current renewables-only policy of the Labor government. He emphasized the need for reliable baseload power for essential services, suggesting that existing infrastructure at coal-fired power stations could be utilized for distributing energy from new nuclear reactors.
However, detailed cost analysis of the project was not provided by the Coalition. Dutton mentioned that the cost would be a fraction of the government’s net-zero policy, estimated to exceed $1 trillion, including investments in transmission infrastructure, wind turbines, solar panels, and battery storage.
The announcement faced strong opposition from Labor government officials, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling it a “fantasy” and Climate Minister Chris Bowen labeling nuclear as the most expensive energy source. State leaders overseeing proposed sites expressed skepticism and called for more consultation.
Despite the criticism, the Minerals Council of Australia supported Dutton’s policy, highlighting the importance of a diverse energy mix to meet environmental and economic objectives. They emphasized the role of nuclear power in reducing emissions while ensuring reliable baseload power for industries to remain competitive.
