The nuclear power plant in Cattenom, France. Nuclear power plants operate in more than 30 countries and generate around 10 per cent of the world's energy.What role should nuclear energy play in Australia's energy transition? The federal Coalition says the technology could help Australia move away from fossil fuels and towards a net zero economy.
It estimates a standard one-megawatt large nuclear power station would cost more than eight billion dollars, and wouldn't be operational until at least 2040. Nuclear power plants operate in more than 30 countries and generate around 10 per cent of the world's energy.In Australia, however, nuclear power generation is prohibited by law.
"I can see the attraction of putting nuclear plants where coal plants are. However, when you start going into the details, the idea doesn't quite stack up. And then are some challenges - particularly around cost and timeline that need to be thought about.