CANBERRA, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Australia's opposition leader has described nuclear power as the country's only viable pathway to reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

In a speech to an economic conference on Monday, Peter Dutton said that his proposal to build seven nuclear power stations across Australia if elected Prime Minister (PM) would cost less than the governing Labor Party's renewable energy strategy.

Dutton, the leader of the Coalition of the Liberal and National parties, did not reveal specific details about the cost of his nuclear policy but said it would be cheaper over the 80-year lifespan of the reactors than solar and wind projects.

"Our nuclear plan does have a significant upfront cost, but a whole new and vast transmission network and infrastructure won't be needed. Moreover, the cost of our nuclear plants can be amortized and spread over a reactor's 80-year lifespan," he told the Committee for Economic Development of Australia event.

"We can have cheaper, cleaner and consistent energy if we adopt nuclear power. And zero-emission nuclear power is our only chance to reach net zero by 2050."

He said that no country in the world has made a renewables-only policy, like that of the Labor government, work and that solar panels and wind turbines would have to be replaced multiple times in the lifespan of a nuclear reactor.

Labor has set targets of reducing Australia's carbon emissions by 43 percent from 2005 levels by 2030, having 82 percent of Australia's electricity come from renewable sources by 2030, and reaching net zero emissions by 2050.

Dutton has previously flagged that the Coalition would pursue a less ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target if elected, with Australia to rely more on gas-fired power stations until the first nuclear power stations come online between 2035 and 2037.

Speaking on Sunday, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the nuclear policy was a big risk to energy security and prices in Australia.

"Peter Dutton's nuclear fantasy is economic insanity. It costs more, it will push power prices up, it will take longer," he told Sky News Australia.

A general election is due to be held in Australia in 2025. A poll published by News Corp Australia newspapers on Monday found that Labor and the Coalition are tied at 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)