Malcolm Turnbull, former leader of the Liberal Party, has expressed opposition to nuclear energy while advocating for solar, wind, and hydro power solutions instead.
Turnbull, who served as Australia’s 29th prime minister from 2015 to 2018, believes that nuclear power plants are not suitable for Australia’s energy mix due to their high cost and long construction timelines.
He stressed the need for flexible and dispatchable generation to complement renewable sources, which nuclear plants lack as they operate continuously without the ability to be easily switched on or off.
Turnbull criticized the Coalition’s justification for nuclear energy based on the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, stating that such references were misleading and impractical.
The Labor Party opposes nuclear energy and aims to achieve net zero emissions through 100 percent renewable energy supported by gas.
In contrast, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed the construction of seven nuclear reactors in Australia if elected, positioning the country to join other top economies in utilizing zero-emission nuclear technology.
The Coalition highlights that many countries operate zero-emissions nuclear plants, while Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen maintains that nuclear power is economically unsustainable for Australia given its abundant renewable resources.
Turnbull’s renewable energy company, Upper Hunter Hydro, recently secured a tender to explore hydrogen power storage in New South Wales, highlighting the importance of long-duration energy storage in transitioning to a net-zero carbon world.
