Australia’s climate wars have gone nuclear as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton brands the Albanese government’s plan to ramp up renewables as expensive and risky to power supply.across the country, on the site of old coal-fired power stations. His six-page policy manifesto promises a “bold, visionary” nuclear program that will provide cheaper, cleaner and more consistent energy, while lowering prices for families and businesses.Here is a fact check of the opposition’s key claims.
Most experts say this timeline is too ambitious and would take far longer. This is because of challenges such as establishing a safety regime, importing a skilled workforce to build the plants, and preventing any cost blowouts. The World Nuclear Association says the current global median build time for a nuclear plant is about nine years.Experts warn the potential for cost blowouts is a major risk for the opposition’s nuclear plan.
The energy market is made up of retailers, who buy electricity supply in short blocks around the clock, and generators, who supply the power. These generators compete on price and the cheapest always wins.