Nuclear Needed to Reach Net Zero
10 November 2024
EXCLUSIVE - ANGIRA BHARADWAJ
Australia is a long way from its renewables targets and would require “all technologies” to meet its net zero promise, a leading scientist said at an inquiry into the future of nuclear power in the country.
Dr Chris Greig, a senior research scientist at the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment at Princeton University, told the parliamentary inquiry that Australia was “well short” of the rate of renewables required to meet its net zero targets.
“No, not even close,” he told Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, when asked if the nation was on track to hit net zero by 2050.
“We are probably pushing up against five gigawatts a year … we would need to be hitting maybe five times that.”
Dr Greig said “all technologies” would be needed to tackle the climate crisis.
The Coalition has vowed to bring nuclear power to Australia through small nuclear reactors, if it wins the next election due in May – a move the Albanese government opposes.
“I just think we’re underestimating what tackling the climate challenge is. It’s going to take all hands on deck,” Dr Greig said.
Mr Kennedy said the evidence showed nuclear must be part of Australia’s energy future.
“Without (nuclear) there is no way we will meet our net zero targets,” he said.
“Labor’s strategy is simply a plan for higher prices and rolling blackouts.”
Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the Coalition needs to reveal how muchtheir nuclear plan will cost.
“If the Coalition are so sure nuclear will be cheap to build and run in Australia, then tell us how much they think it will cost, instead of relying on hypothetical scenarios from other countries,” he said.
“But they won’t, because they know the answer is not going to be good.”