[title_words_as_hashtags
The fight over nuclear energy is heating up with the government claiming the switch away from renewables to nuclear would cost almost $400 billion.
Labor has released government costings aimed at undermining the Opposition’s push to add nuclear to Australia’s energy mix.
Modelling by the Energy and Climate Change Department shows converting ageing coal-fired power sites to nuclear would cost $387 billion – or up to $25,000 per taxpayer.
The modelling also suggested Australia would need at least 71 300MW small modular reactors to offset coal generation coming out of the system.
The Coalition is yet to finalise its energy policies, but leader Peter Dutton has called for greater investment in nuclear to help meet emissions targets.
