The Surf Coast could be home to a nuclear power station under a Peter Dutton led coalition government.
The opposition leader says end of life coal sites like Alcoa’s former mine and generator at Anglesea would be a logical spot to build what he calls “small modular reactors” (SMR’s).
“It’s zero emissions, you can put it into an existing brownfield site – so when the coal fired generation comes to an end, you can put the nuclear modular reactors into that facility,” he said.
Asked if nuclear power would be a hard sell to Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast residents, Mr Dutton asked “is there a coal mine that’s operating here at the moment that’s coming to end of life?”
Informed by Geelong Broadcasters of the Anglesea site that closed in 2015 and is undergoing rehabilitation, the coalition leader said nuclear “can be done in a safe way.”
“And it means that those coal fired generation assets that are coming to an end of life, that do emit…they’re being replaced with a new technology that can distribute on to existing poles and wires.”
On a cost of living tour around Australia the opposition leader used a stop in Ocean Grove to spruik the plan and take a swipe at the renewable sector, which he said locals were opposed to.
“People in metropolitan areas, or outer metropolitan areas like mine in my electorate, in this community, don’t want those wind turbines.”
“It is cheaper, it is reliable, it can firm up renewables,” he said of nuclear power.
“It’s the reason that a lot of younger Australians are fully supportive of it because they’re passionate about climate change, they’re passionate about reducing emissions and they’re well read.”
The CSIRO and Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) has consistently found nuclear energy too expensive to be considered as a replacement for Australia’s fossil fuel generators, and is up to 18 times the cost of renewables.
In the most recent costing from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water the energy cost from SMRs was estimated at $18,167/kW, compared to $1,058/kW from solar and $1,989/kW for onshore wind.
“All I ask for is a mature debate, and I hope the Prime Minister’s able to join the debate,” Mr Dutton said of his nuclear push.
“I’d just encourage people to Google it and have a look at the SMRs, have a look at the technology that’s being deployed now. It’s the same technology the government’s signed up to on the nuclear
submarines.
“It can be done in a safe way, and it means that those coal fired generation assets that are coming to an end of life, that do emit, that they’re being replaced with a new technology that can distribute on to existing poles and wires.”
