Port Augusta residents are divided in their support for the Coalition's plan to base a small modular nuclear reactor at the town's old power station. While South Australia's Premier says the plan would drive up electricity prices, the state's opposition says SA could profit from a nuclear industry.
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00:00Once Port Augusta's beating heart, the old northern power station used to generate coal-fired
00:07electricity. Now the coalition wants it to host a small modular nuclear reactor.
00:12We're keen to solve the energy trilemma. Affordability, stability and emissions reduction. And we
00:20think this is something that should be on the table.
00:22Locals have mixed views.
00:24I'm just feeling surprised. You know, I think it's a crazy move.
00:28It's going to bring a lot of economic resources to Port Augusta. It's going to open up a lot
00:33of job opportunities.
00:34It's not the first time SA has explored a nuclear industry. A 2016 Royal Commission
00:39by former Governor Kevin Scarce found it was not commercially viable to generate nuclear
00:44power.
00:45I would support nuclear power if it didn't make electricity more expensive. But it will
00:52make it more expensive.
00:53The opposition says another nuclear power Royal Commission is now needed ahead of the
00:58construction of nuclear submarines at Osborne.
01:01The inquiry that I want to have is about the readiness of the state more broadly. The skills,
01:07the infrastructure that would be needed. Perhaps waste disposal opportunities and needs.
01:13Why on earth are the Liberals once again reheating this frozen pizza? We're in the middle of
01:18an economic crisis. Why would we be wasting public money on an inquiry when we already
01:23know the answer?
01:24Port Augusta has played a key role in SA's shift to renewable energy. The government
01:28hopes a new hydrogen power plant at Wyala will also help the state decarbonise.
01:34Our proposition isn't to build a power station that will provide base load electricity 24
01:407, but rather to provide a firming service to existing and future renewable operators
01:48in South Australia.
01:49Any arguments that Labor make around cost and affordability, hydrogen is more expensive
01:54and less proven.
01:56An energy debate that's set to become louder in the lead up to the next state and federal
02:00elections.