7am

The truth about Dutton’s nuclear costings

Dec 15, 2024

Mike Seccombe, the National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, dives deep into Peter Dutton's controversial nuclear power proposal. He dissects the $331 billion plan's costings, which claim to be cheaper than Labor's renewable rollout, but contrasts sharply with the CSIRO’s findings. The discussion reveals questionable economic modeling and the stark reality that nuclear plants might take decades to become operational. Seccombe examines the implications for voters and highlights the ongoing clash between nuclear power and the rapidly decreasing costs of renewable energy.

15:04

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Mike Seccombe

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Quick takeaways

Dutton's $331 billion nuclear energy plan is marketed as a cheaper alternative to renewables, yet contradicts CSIRO's findings on higher costs.

The debate reflects internal divisions within the Coalition on climate strategies, raising questions about the plan's alignment with public sentiment and scientific consensus.

Deep dives

Nuclear Proposal and Economic Viability

The opposition leader proposed a nuclear energy plan to provide a significant portion of Australia's energy needs by 2050. This plan suggests that nuclear power could meet approximately 38% of the energy mix, claiming a total cost of $331 billion, which they assert is 44% cheaper than the Labor Party's alternative. Key figures within the coalition argue that this initiative will lead to lower energy bills for Australians over time by providing a reliable energy source. However, the modelling behind these claims raises questions due to reliance on optimistic assumptions regarding existing coal power plants and the timeline for nuclear power implementation.

Intro

3min

Controversial Economic Modeling in Nuclear Energy Costings

4min

Contrasting Nuclear Power Cost Claims in Australia

2min

Nuclear Power vs. Renewables: A Costly Debate

6min

Heatwave Warnings and Community Resilience in Australia

2min

The Liberal Party says it wants the next election to be a referendum on energy.

After months of waiting, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton finally released the costings for his $331 billion nuclear power plan.

The modelling suggests the nuclear plan would be $264 billion cheaper than Labor’s renewables rollout, and deliver lower energy prices for consumers.

But Dutton’s plan contradicts the CSIRO's new GenCost report, which found a nuclear power plant would likely cost twice as much as renewable energy, with the agency also warning a fully operational fleet of nuclear reactors could not be expected before 2050.

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on how the Coalition’s modelling stacks up – and whether it matters to voters hungry for lower power bills.

Socials: Stay in touch with us on Twitter and Instagram

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

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