Western Australia’s peak environment body the Conservation Council of WA (CCWA) welcomes CSIRO’s GenCost report, which confirms that nuclear power would cost twice as much as renewable energy and would take at least fifteen years to develop and likely much longer. The report also urges decision makers to focus on real climate action by transitioning to renewables in the next five years.
To avoid the worst impacts of climate change, experts say that we must transition to renewable energy this decade. Australia is already making progress, with renewable energy powering nearly 40% of the country, and expected to reach its target of 82% by 2030. In comparison, nuclear would take at least three times longer to come online.
Earlier this month, CCWA made a submission to the nuclear inquiry supported by over one thousand people, many of whom made their own submissions. These submissions noted that in addition to cost and timeline blowouts, nuclear accidents and waste remain a risk – concerns that are echoed by the broader population, according to research conducted this year.
In April 2024, CSIRO revealed that more than 80% of Australians would be willing to live near renewable energy infrastructure. In comparison, research company DemosAu revealed last week that the majority of Australians would not be willing to live near a nuclear plant.
With Australia already transitioning to renewable energy, CCWA urges decision makers to stay the course to secure real climate action and lower the cost of living this decade. Australia is the sunniest continent on earth, and 1 in 3 homes have rooftop solar. With the cost of solar and batteries coming down, rooftop solar can double by 2030 and save households thousands of dollars on their energy bills.
Mia Pepper, Campaigns Director at the Conservation Council of WA, says:
“Even after facing intense scrutiny from the Coalition, CSIRO has still found nuclear to be the most expensive form of energy – and too slow to address climate change.
“Climate change gives us five years to get off fossil fuels – not fifteen – and if decision makers stick to the plan, Australia can transition to renewable energy in time. However, if they allow themselves to be distracted by nuclear, Australia will burn coal and gas for longer, and we will experience more frequent and severe climate impacts as a result.
“It’s important to note that fifteen years is also the shortest possible timeframe for nuclear, and that CSIRO has issued a warning to stakeholders that some projects will cost significantly more. By examining other Western nations, we can see a pattern of cost and timeline blowouts, and we can expect the same to occur here in Australia.
“The cost of nuclear gets even more expensive when factoring in fuel fabrication and the management of nuclear waste, which remains radioactive for tens of thousands of years. That’s why many countries are saying it’s not worth the risk, and Australia should take note of this.
“Several European and Asian countries that Australia looks up to are expanding renewables and phasing out nuclear. We can learn from them – and our own esteemed scientists – by choosing renewables over nuclear too.
“Unlike the Coalition, the CSIRO is looking at the models and the sums from a technology neutral position. CCWA supports their conclusion that the future is renewable – not radioactive.”
ENDS