The Clean Energy Council welcomes the release of the latest GenCost report by the CSIRO, which reaffirms the fact that renewables firmed by storage and transmission remain the lowest cost pathway to replace our aging coal generators.
The report found that building nuclear reactors in Australia would cost between two to six times more than renewables firmed by storage technologies, while the first plant would not be operational until at least 2040.
“You can’t argue with facts. The CSIRO’s latest GenCost report clearly shows that nuclear is the most expensive pathway to replacing goal generation as it closes, which would directly impact Aussie hip pockets, driving energy bills up even higher, Clean Energy Council Chief Executive, Kane Thornton, said.
Waiting decades for nuclear power, which every independent review over the past few decades has found to be uneconomic when compared to renewables, is a risk that Australia cannot afford.Kane Thornton Clean Energy Council Chief Executive
“While nuclear may have a role to play in other jurisdictions around the world, it is ultimately the poorest possible fit for Australia’s energy future, especially when compared to the lower costs of renewables and storage, thanks to an abundance of sun and wind in Australia - the envy of the world,” he said.
Thornton said with the lack of a domestic industry and an energy system which has become more flexible with the move to renewables in recent years, introducing nuclear to Australia’s energy mix would be a problematic marriage.
“Nuclear wouldn’t make a great companion to renewables, instead it’s more likely to be an inflexible partner to the four million Australian households with rooftop solar. More nuclear will mean more solar gets switched off.
“This highly concerning prospect would create a losing battle for everyday Australians who already lead the world with the installation of rooftop solar and who have taken greater control of their energy costs and consumption,” he said.
ENDS
For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Liam Straughan
Clean Energy Council Media Officer
+61 409 470 683