Fixing Australia’s power crisis

Words: David Mills Producer: Gillian McNally in partnership with

Australia has many power options between coal, gas, renewables, even nuclear.

Currently, 53% of Australia's electricity is supplied by coal, 20% by gas and 24% by renewables.

COAL

Australia has no plans to build more, but some existing ones will last into the 2040s. In 2020, we still sourced 54 per cent of our electricity from these utilities.

Coal employs about 40,000 people. Australia is the world’s second biggest coal exporter and coal is our second biggest export earner after iron ore.

Even with China slapping a ban on our coal, and other nations moving to renewables, the Minerals Council predicts the value of our coal exports will grow 23 per cent by 2030.

Efforts to cut emissions from coal are ongoing but critics say it won't be enough.

Gas currently supplies 21 per cent of our electricity, almost half of that is for household use.

Like coal, gas is reliable, and many view it as the lesser of two evils. The industry is working to limit emissions including through carbon capture and storage.

The industry says it can play an important role in our energy mix, even if that's smaller overall, as it can be relied on when renewables falter.

RENEWABLES

Many say Australia could be a renewable energy superpower, with projects like the Sun Cable connecting to Singapore to supply 24/7 renewable power.

Critics say renewables are not reliable and still need support from fossil fuel or nuclear power.

HYDROGEN

Such a product would be of great value in parts of the world desperate to lower emissions.

NUCLEAR

Proponents say nuclear power is reliable and safe.

Pragmatists say it may be the bitter pill we need to swallow to have a world of low emissions and abundant power.

Realists say any debate about nuclear power is inevitably a discussion about the regions, both for the plant locations and radioactive waste facilities.

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Fixing Australia’s power crisis

Australia has many power options between coal, gas, renewables, even nuclear.

But making the switch isn't straight-forward. Here's an overview of the issues.

Currently, 53% of Australia's electricity is supplied by coal, 20% by gas and 24% by renewables.

WHERE OUR ELECTRICITY COMES FROM

COAL

Coal is extremely reliable for electricity generation. It alsocreates more greenhouse gases than any energy source.

In May, the International Energy Association declared investment in coal-fired power stations should stop globally.

Australia has no plans to build more, but some existing ones will last into the 2040s. In 2020, we still sourced 54 per cent of our electricity from these utilities.

Coal employs about 40,000 people. Australia is the world’s second biggest coal exporter and coal is our second biggest export earner after iron ore.

Even with China slapping a ban on our coal, and other nations moving to renewables, the Minerals Council predicts the value of our coal exports will grow 23 per cent by 2030.

Efforts to cut emissions from coal are ongoing but critics say it won't be enough.

Mining and burning coal is bad for humans, costing our health system about $2.6 billion a year.

Gas currently supplies 21 per cent of our electricity, almost half of that is for household use.

Its emissions are roughly half that of coal, but it’s still a major contributor to our national tally.

Like coal, gas is reliable, and many view it as the lesser of two evils. The industry is working to limit emissions including through carbon capture and storage.

The industry says it can play an important role in our energy mix, even if that's smaller overall, as it can be relied on when renewables falter.

RENEWABLES

Australia has been using hydro-powered electricity for decades and the uptake of bioenergy, wind and solar power is growing.

Last year, 25% of Australia's electricity came from renewables.

Many say Australia could be a renewable energy superpower, with projects like the Sun Cable connecting to Singapore to supply 24/7 renewable power.

Critics say renewables are not reliable and still need support from fossil fuel or nuclear power.

Batteries are not yet a full solution to intermittency problems.

HYDROGEN

Technically an energy carrier rather than an energy source, zero-emissions hydrogen is viewed as a promising part of our future energy mix .

It's also potentially a massive export industry.

Such a product would be of great value in parts of the world desperate to lower emissions.

Many believe hydrogen-powered vehicles could be the norm on our roads in the next decade.

NUCLEAR

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has ruled out an Australian nuclear power industry, which is banned by legislation.

But a Lowy Institute poll this year found 47 per cent of Australians supported moves towards nuclear power.

Proponents say nuclear power is reliable and safe.

Critics say it’s hugely expensive, will take decades to develop, and safety risks will always be there.

Pragmatists say it may be the bitter pill we need to swallow to have a world of low emissions and abundant power.

Realists say any debate about nuclear power is inevitably a discussion about the regions, both for the plant locations and radioactive waste facilities.