The centre-right Liberal National Coalition is taking another step forward to advance Australia’s nuclear future.Many leading technologists will gather in Canberra for a two-day forum to discuss nuclear technology with politicians. I’m here.
Parliamentarian David Gillespie, who is also chairman of the Parliamentary Friends of the Nuclear Industry, will host a forum at the Houses of Parliament on 24 and 25 November to discuss nuclear power as a solution to ensure Australia’s energy security. presented an example of Start net zero emissions by 2050.
Speaking to Sky News, parliamentarian said The forum gave engineers a voice in explaining various aspects of nuclear power, including small reactors, to the press, politicians and other key players in the energy market.
Gillespie said a key issue discussed on the first day of the forum was the cost of the Australian government’s renewable energy net zero emissions plan.
“One of our economists analyzed that it will cost $1.27 trillion (US$857 billion) to achieve gradual change by 2050. It’s a permanent state of adding more and more renewable energy.” He said.
Gillespie also noted that some of the 2050 plans were not mentioned, but include a $250 billion investment in the form of consumer rooftop solar panels.
These solar panels act as a backup in case of system failure.
On another issue, Gillespie said the forum would present several reports on the cost of small reactors, but they paint a different picture than the report by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO). .
In July, CSIRO GenCost22 ReportIt states that the capital cost for small modular reactors in 2030 is $7,904/kW under the low case assumption and $16,773/kW under the high case assumption.
By comparison, capital costs for large-scale solar panels were estimated at $785/kW and $1,013/kW, respectively.
but, report The Australian Energy Policy Institute has shown that the cost of nuclear power is about $4,500/kW, based on the latest data from the International Energy Agency. This is almost a third of the CSIRO report’s estimate.
“Our economic analyst said today that GenCost [report] Very misleading and downright inaccurate about nuclear costs. ” Gillespie said.
“France, England, Sweden… South Korea, everyone in the world is crazy about nukes and launching their stagnant nukes [plants] Because we know it’s cheap, reliable, and safe. ”
Australia’s nuclear situation
Current, nuclear power Not permitted in Australia under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
Specifically, these laws prohibit the approval, licensing, construction, or operation of nuclear power plants and enrichment facilities in the country.
In addition, states and territories have their own laws regulating nuclear and radiation-related activities.
A ban on nuclear power based on the fact that Australia has the world’s largest uranium deposits, accounting for nearly one-third of the planet’s proven uranium reserves, and that the country is the third largest uranium producer. It is worth noting that the
The surge in energy prices across the country following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has sparked renewed calls for nuclear power to be included in Australia’s energy mix.
August, opposition leader Peter Dutton AUSTRALIA criticized the Labor government for being ideological on renewable energy, while saying there needs to be an “honest discussion” on nuclear power.
Since then, Dutton has mentioned nuclear power many times in parliament. his reaction in the Labor Party budget for October.
However, opposition leaders have not confirmed the coalition’s position on nuclear power in the upcoming elections.
Prospects for the Nuclear Future in Australia
Gillespie said the process of formulating a policy on nuclear power was underway and had support within Labor and other political parties.
“Me and other National Party and Liberal Party supporters have made the decision, but there is a process,” he said in a comment obtained by the AAP.
“I feel more confident with each passing day, but I don’t want to pre-empt decisions.”
Gillespie also believed in Australia’s nuclear power direction because Australia had what it needed in terms of resources and technology.
“We are a nuclear power. We have vast uranium resources. We just chose not to use them.” He said.
“We have three reactors in operation. We have signatories and committees and are part of all proliferation agreements.”
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Alfred Bui is an Australian reporter based in Melbourne, focusing on local and business news. He is a former small business owner and holds his two master’s degrees in business and business law. Please contact [email protected]