The role of nuclear technology in Australia’s energy transition

In response to proposals by the Coalition today regarding the role of nuclear power in Australia’s energy transition, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) highlights existing evidence regarding nuclear power in Australia.

In order to avert the worst impacts of climate change, it is critical to decarbonise our energy systems and rapidly reduce emission across the entire economy through clean and proven technologies.

From a technology and engineering perspective, nuclear power could provide a good source of zero emissions electricity in the long-term beyond 2040, but is unlikely to in short to medium term. It is compatible with Australia’s current electricity system, the mining footprint is small, and has a sound safety record despite high profile accidents.

However, the associated timescales, expense, skills gap, legal and regulatory barriers, and social acceptance of nuclear power renders the technology unproven in Australia.

Current estimates from CSIRO’s GenCost report note that the earliest deployment of large-scale nuclear would be from 2040, given the current state of the development pipeline.

CSIRO says engineering nuclear power in Australia will cost at least 1.5 times more than it will to deploy renewable technologies supported by battery storage.

Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) have advantages over traditional reactor designs: they can have a fail-safe design, often require less downtime, and generate up to 300 megawatts each.  However, their economic viability is unknown, with operational SMRs presently only in Russia and China, and no working prototypes in OECD countries. Their cost competitiveness is unproven compared with other energy options. There is no data to support SMR costs when deployed as operating power stations.

In Australia, renewable technologies such as solar and wind are proven and mature with widespread deployment underway. Large-scale nuclear will be outcompeted by renewables in the current timeframe and does not appear a viable economic option in the short or medium term.

Importantly, focusing on nuclear power now could distract from the transition away from fossil fuels, send mixed signals to industry and hamper efforts to deploy renewable technologies at pace.

While nuclear technology may eventually have a role in Australia, Australia’s present critical technology mix focuses on renewable technologies, particular wind, solar, pumped hydro and battery storage. Areas where Australia has a technological, geographic and mineral advantage.

A large part of the Australian population is unsure or unconvinced of the need for Australia to pursue nuclear power. Nuclear technology will not be feasible unless there is ongoing broad legal and social acceptance.

ATSE supports a technology neutral approach which requires that all options compete on a level playing field.

The Academy notes that further non-partisan analysis is required to objectively examine technology readiness and the role of nuclear technology in the long-term. However, this must not detract focus from the rapid deployment of renewable technologies that are ready and available here and now.

Areas for further analysis in relation to nuclear technology include:

• assessing affordability including independently verified analysis of whole of system costs
• compliance with local building and engineering standards
• reliability and grid connections
• availability of public private sector investment
• impact on Australia’s net zero ambitions and commitments
• impact on Australia’s biodiversity, environment and planning approval processes,
• workforce capability and skills requirements
• governance and risk mitigation arrangements
• waste management
• water use
• security and sovereign capability
• federal, state and local government co-operation
• perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians
• bipartisanship and avoiding loss of social cohesion and ensuring continued compliance with the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty.

Media enquiries: Alexandra Horvat – 0458 892 825/ alexandra.horvat@atse.org.au