SA Chamber of Mines and Energy poll: Most support nuclear law change

Backing for nuclear power to provide cheaper and more reliable electricity has been uncovered. Do you support a nuclear energy future for SA? Have your say.

The prospect of a South Australian nuclear energy future is being thrust onto the agenda by an opinion poll showing majority support for law changes to allow the industry to be considered. The poll of 600 SA voters also shows 63 per cent agree nuclear power should be considered because of cost and reliability issues in the national electricity market.

The JWS Research poll, commissioned by the SA Chamber of Mines and Energy (SACOME) found 58 per cent backed amending federal environment and radiation protection laws to remove nuclear industry prohibitions.

SACOME chief executive officer Rebecca Knol said: “Nuclear presents an untapped economic opportunity for SA, particularly coupling modern reactors with abundant gas and renewable energy to meet net zero commitments”.

Artist's impression of a small modular reactor built by Canadian nuclear company StarCore.

But Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Wednesday bluntly dismissed Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s move to review advanced and next-generation nuclear technologies, declaring: “The truth is renewables are the cheapest. We will deliver increased renewables.”

The opinion polling found respondents who backed a conversation about nuclear energy were influenced by SA’s geologically stable location, nuclear energy’s low carbon footprint and its ability to generate large volumes of electricity with little land use.

A 2016 SA royal nuclear commission, spearheaded by former governor Kevin Scarce, found nuclear power was not commercially viable but might be necessary in the future.

Mr Scarce on Wednesday said he hoped the opinion polling results “might engender a spirit of inquiry in our major political parties to consider nuclear power as an option for generating tomorrow’s energy”.

A consortium led by Rolls-Royce has proposed a joint investment of more than £500m ($878m) on designing a small modular reactor for the UK. Picture: Rolls-Royce

Premier Peter Malinauskas said he was “open-minded” about nuclear power but cited the royal commission’s finding it was unviable economically and, therefore, likely would drive up electricity prices.

He said his focus was on generating jobs, investment and lower power prices with Labor’s $593m hydrogen power plant slated for Whyalla.

“Hydrogen is the energy source of the future and South Australia has all the ingredients to be a world-leader,” he said.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said the SA Liberals were open to a bipartisan discussion about next-generation nuclear energy technologies.

“Australia is facing a worrying energy crisis and every possible solution should be on the table, including a willingness to have an open and honest conversation about the opportunities to develop a nuclear industry in Australia,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen labelled nuclear “the most expensive form of energy that isn’t viable this decade” and declared: “Unless your main focus is climate delay, denial – and pushing up power prices, a conversation about nuclear is a very quick one.”

Originally published as SA Chamber of Mines and Energy poll: Most support nuclear law change