Don’t rule out nuclear energy for SA, says our chief scientist Dr Leanna Read
EXCLUSIVE: Everything — including nuclear power — should be part of the discussion about long-term energy supply, South Australia’s Chief Scientist says.
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EVERYTHING, including nuclear power, should be part of the discussion about long-term energy supply, South Australia’s Chief Scientist says.
Dr Leanna Read has called for a greater understanding of the science behind energy as the state struggles with high electricity prices and power outages, and for people to have an open mind on existing and new technology.
“Things change so quickly. You have to make assumptions about how long technology will take to come into being and what the cost is… but the cost is always coming down,” she said.
“Nuclear is part of that mix and I think it needs to be discussed.”
Dr Read will today facilitate a discussion between the public and Australia’s Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel, in Adelaide.
Professor Finkel is reviewing the National Energy Market to determine how to provide reliable and affordable electricity while reducing emissions.
SA is at the heart of that review after last year’s catastrophic blackout, and because of the state’s high power prices.
SA is also at the centre of an ongoing stoush over renewable energy targets. The Federal Government has been attacking Labor over its policy to have 50 per cent of power from renewables by 2030, saying it will cost jobs and push up power prices.
Dr Read said that in the long-term the aim should be all renewable sources but that an interim solution was needed and every option should be on the table.
“If they’re going to close down the coal stations in Victoria… what on Earth are we going to do? We can’t have a vacuum,” she said. “How do we transition?”
New technology delivering “clean coal” and more gas could be part of the interim solution, she said.
“SA is a fantastic place to live and work but to keep it that way we have to be competitive in our pricing and security of supply,” she said.
A report out today outlines more pressures on the energy market. The Deloitte Access Economics Business Outlook warns that manufacturers such as Holden pulling out of Australia have a flow-on effect on electricity providers.
There are fixed costs to provide power, and if there are fewer users, those costs fall increasingly on those who are left.
“Those big industrial enterprises are major users of electricity,” Deloitte partner Chris Richardson said.
“You get vicious circles in the utilities. There are some risks on that front. Nothing dramatic or immediate but that’s one of the sectors in the firing line.”
The “exodus” of big consumers such as Holden is on top of increasing numbers of people going off the grid.
“For everyone else left on the grid the fixed costs are being divided among a reduced number of customers,” Mr Richardson said.