Reliability missing factor in Bowen’s energy argument

It is notable that the factor that nuclear power generation prom­ises – in sharp contrast to wind and solar – and that is conspicuously absent from Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen’s rhetoric on the shortcomings of the former and the virtues of the latter is reliability (“ ‘Conscious mistruths’ on energy costings”, 20/12).

Bowen expounds on the particular needs of industry with respect to energy supply but fails to mention the factors that jeopardise their efficient functioning under his own “renewables plus storage” plan: reliability and associated predictability.

Such certainty of supply has a value and even if nuclear generation is slightly more expensive (a point that is highly contestable), that alone is worth an extra cost.

Bill Pannell, Dalkeith, WA

Isn’t it interesting that when the Labor government wants to do something that European governments are finding is a really daft, destructive idea – renewable energy – we want to be out at the front, providing leadership.

But when leadership and courage are actually called for, when we should be out in front giving the moral lead, we’re to be found hiding behind 150 other countries, blaming Israel for the Gaza deaths and suffering, and denying Israelis the right to live in peace and defend themselves.

Helen Dyer, Ferndale, WA

With regard to the debate on which energy source is the most efficient and cost effective, many proponents of renewables like Chris Bowen claim that nuclear is not just more expensive, it’s also a potential health risk.

The fact is they are not measuring apples with apples.

Renewable energy is weather-dependent and therefore intermittent, while nuclear is baseload and therefore permanently available. This is a key differential.

With regard to cost, solar panels and wind turbines will wear out within 20 years and batteries long before that, and will have to be replaced, whereas nuclear will quite likely last up to 40 years and possibly beyond.

Renewable energy requires new costly distribution infrastructure while nuclear can use existing transmission lines.

So although nuclear appears more expensive in the short term to build, across 40 years it’s more cost-effective. With regard to the health issue, the Lucas Heights nuclear facility in Sydney is proof that Australia can safely manage the technology.

Renewables are nice to have when the weather is being kind but not for major power distribution. Only nuclear and fossil fuels can provide that.

Dennis Murphy, Hope Island, Qld

Chris Bowen has complete faith in his energy advisory bodies and uses their research to support his statement that nuclear is the most expensive and renewables are the cheapest form of energy sources in Australia.

I assume they are the same bodies that advised him that the preferred renewables strategy would result in a $275 reduction in our power bills.

He believes their mathematics is to be believed. On historical data, they have proven to be extremely wide of the mark.

Tony Hennessy, Casino, NSW

The Labor scare campaign about nuclear power is building up, based on dubious predictions for those with rooftop solar and electricity costs. Australia would need thousands of mega batteries in a purely renewable system.

Few are being built because companies don’t see them returning a suitable profit before they need to be replaced.

Chris Bowen ignores the fact that including nuclear to provide an emissions-free baseload supply avoids building about three-quarters of the renewable generation capacity that a system running solely on renewables would require. It also saves a similar proportion of the cost of firming, such as mega batteries and pumped hydro, and the cost of installing transmission lines.

Ian Wilson, Chapel Hill, Qld

Will Chris Bowen extend his EV discounts to those not earning $100,000, such as poor pensioners like us?

Ed Turner, Sinnamon Park, Qld

Now that Labor has started its scare campaign on nuclear energy (most of it remains unproven), I put it in the same realm as what my grandma used to say: “Crusts make your hair go curly.”

Richard Henry, Daruka, NSW