Nuclear isn’t the nightmare, soaring energy prices are

Anthony Albanese called Peter Dutton’s bold nuclear energy plan a “Friday the 13th nightmare” (“Contest of ideas on nuclear power is timely and needed”, 14-15/12). It’s a clever line, but the Prime Minister’s recurring political nightmare is his failure to deliver on a promise to reduce household power prices by $275. It will feature in Coalition election advertising, as will Labor’s equally earnest promise to reduce the cost of living.

The government will blame myriad factors for its shortcomings but there’s a sense that the electorate is no longer listening. That’s traditionally fatal for an incumbent. Chris Kenny ponders whether it’s possible for a reset over the Christmas and New Year period to avoid a first-term defeat (“Albanese has shrunk in office, paralysed by fear”, 14-15/12), but even if the government hangs on it will likely serve at the pleasure of minor parties and independents who are heavily skewed to the left.

Kim Keogh, Claremont, WA

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen says major nations that have adopted nuclear-generated electricity have got it wrong. In other words, a majority of OECD countries that generate 80 per cent of the world’s electricity are mistaken in providing affordable and reliable electricity.

The choice for voters is not difficult: believe Bowen or believe in the major countries that have invested in and successfully use nuclear power generation. Bowen is caught up in a bubble of climate change ideology that’s divorced from real-world requirements for affordable and reliable electricity supply. The madness is akin to the signs outside many major cities: “Nuclear-Free Zone”. These may feel good to left-wing ideologues until they need nuclear isotopes at hospital to treat cancer.

L. Smith, Kenmore, Qld

For reasons of technological advancement, energy security and independence, the economic development of our vast uranium resources, long-term power supply reliability and price stability necessary for businesses to invest and for environmental preservation, it is inevitable that nuclear power will come to Australia.

It will be interesting to see which companies place corporate motives ahead of the national interest. There are numerous companies, including multinational renewables companies on the renewables gravy train, that undoubtedly will speak up against the Coalition’s pragmatic energy plan.

Ron Hobba, Camberwell, Vic

It may not win him back the teal seats in progressive urban enclaves, but Peter Dutton should pick up many others if he sticks to his announced agenda of backing nuclear energy and uniting us under a single national flag (“Dutton ready for scare on nuclear”, 14-15/12). The ongoing debate about what a nuclear transition will cost is a distraction, as past experience tells us that any figures being trotted out now to justify or condemn an investment in infrastructure with a multi-decade lead time are almost certainly meaningless.

What matters is that nuclear represents an essential component of our future energy mix if we are serious about being a First World nation. The sooner we end the argy-bargy and start doing something concrete about it, the better for all of us.

Peter Austin, Mt Victoria, NSW

The claim that wind and solar are cheaper because the sun and wind are free is a myth.

Both systems require large capital expenditures to make them available to consumers, but once the fuel rods are loaded, nuclear energy is just as free. The Coalition proposal for 38 per cent nuclear and 49 per cent wind/solar is not ideal but has enough baseload to make it workable, whereas the Labor proposal for 82 per cent wind/solar is unworkable and would make the grid inoperable.

R. Watson, Sunnybank Hills, Qld

There are 440 working nuclear plants generating clean electricity in more than 30 countries around the world. Another 60 plants are under construction.

On the other side of the ledger only Albania, Bhutan, Ethiopia, Iceland, Nepal, Paraguay and Democratic Republic of Congo generate all their electricity needs from renewables. Energy Minister Chris Bowen is vehement in his condemnation of nuclear power but he has yet to convince most Australians that renewables are the only answer.

Robert Fisher, Mullumbimby, NSW