Nuclear energy is being pushed by delay mongers, says Climate Change Authority chair

A one-time beacon of the NSW Liberal Party and now chair of the Climate Change Authority, Matt Kean has sharpened his attack on the signature energy policy of the federal Coalition.

Nuclear energy is being pushed by “delay mongers” who know that it is not viable in Australia while those advocating gas are trying to stop the rise of renewables, Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean has claimed.

The comments mark a sharpening of the former NSW treasurer’s criticism of the Coalition’s energy policy.

It also threatens to damage the relationship between the Coalition and Mr Kean, once seen as a rising star within the Liberal Party, which insists nuclear energy is the only viable option for Australia to meet its net zero targets.

Senior Coalition figures rounded on Mr Kean earlier this year when he accepted the job as chair of the Climate Change Authority, but he returned fire with an attack on the federal Coalition’s signature energy policy on ­Tuesday.

“Recently, for example, an illiberal drive to intervene in the market-led energy transition has been elevated from internet chat rooms and lobby groups to the national stage,” Mr Kean told an energy conference in Sydney.

“The delay-mongers have latched on to nuclear power despite the overwhelming evidence that it can only drive up energy bills, can only be more expensive, and can only take too long to build. This, in a cost-of-living ­crisis.”

Mr Kean also criticised the Coalition’s policy of including gas in the Capacity Investment Scheme, through which taxpayers underwrite 32GW of renewables and batteries.

Climate Change Authority chairman Matt Kean. Picture: John Appleyard

The Coalition has said if elected it will include gas in the scheme, but Mr Kean said this was an example of the delaying tactics.

“It seems to me that people calling for gas to be included in the Capacity Investment Scheme are trying to stop renewables,” Mr Kean said. The comments will be seized on by Labor, which is under mounting pressure amid a cost of living crisis that has sapped support for Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who must go to the polls by May 2025.

Labor has insisted the Coalition’s policy of building seven nuclear power stations is unviable as they would be developed too late to replace ageing coal plants, which are set to close by 2037.

Still, the Coalition claims there is growing support for nuclear amid concern about rising bills. A record number of Australians are struggling to pay their utility bills.

Mr Kean’s views could appeal to some affluent, climate-conscious electorates.

Labor has insisted Australia will meet its 2030 targets of having renewable energy generate 82 per cent of Australia’s electricity, but opposition energy spokesman Mr O’Brien said the confidence was not grounded in reality.

Mr O’Brien said the lifetimes of several coal power stations have been extended since Labor came to office, illustrating how the rollout of renewables had not adequately compensated for the demise of coal.

“This is their extend and pretend strategy,” Mr O’Brien told the energy conference.

Coal remains the dominant source of electricity in Australia, but it is under growing economic and social pressure.

Australia’s record proliferation of rooftop solar means wholesale electricity prices are often zero or les, meaning coal power stations – which have to operate all day – are losing money. The profitability improves when the sun goes down and wholesale prices rise, but a growing number of large-scale and home batteries is eroding that income stream.

As a result, the Australian Energy Market Operator expects all coal power stations to have been retired by 2037.

Originally published as Nuclear energy is being pushed by delay mongers, says Climate Change Authority chair