The federal opposition is refusing to put a figure on how much energy its proposed nuclear reactors would generate, until after the election. Industry groups say the lack of detail could impact future energy investments. The government says it will drive up power bills and harm progress towards more renewables.
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00:00A waiting game of nuclear proportions.
00:06What does happen if locals don't want a nuclear plant?
00:09Importance of trust and transparency.
00:12What if locals say no?
00:13I don't think that will happen.
00:15The decision will be a matter for the minister.
00:19Communities told their opposition to a project won't necessarily see it scrapped.
00:24The idea of nuclear at his doorstep doesn't faze farmer Darren Jensen, who fears power
00:30lines running through his Kallite property.
00:33We're certainly not running on 1980s technology like that old one that causes all the problems
00:37are.
00:38No, it doesn't worry me at all.
00:41But not everyone is on board.
00:44Not enough information for a start.
00:46Today it did offer one new detail, suggesting each site could play host to multiple reactors.
00:53In terms of exactly how many on any plant, we would be leaving that to the independent
00:58nuclear energy coordinating authority.
01:01But it is right that we would be wanting multi-unit sites.
01:06But there's still no insight as to how big a role nuclear could play in Australia's energy
01:12mix.
01:13The coalition arguing that decision will be informed by a new body it would set up if
01:18it forms government, offering little certainty for investors.
01:22When you destroy that confidence, you push up the cost of capital, you increase uncertainty
01:27and the renewable projects don't get built.
01:30As analysts fill the void on how much the plan could cost.
01:34The Smart Energy Council has analysed data from the CSIRO and Energy Market Operator,
01:40putting a price tag of between $116 and $600 billion on the opposition's plan.
01:47It's also looked at how much it would contribute to Australia's energy mix, putting that at
01:523.7 per cent.
01:54The Grattan Institute came up with a slightly lower figure.
01:57The government focusing on those policy unknowns ahead of a fortnight of parliamentary sittings.