DAVID HESS | OPINION


Those who advocate for nuclear in Australia are frequently met with character attacks and slander. To be a voice for nuclear down-under is to stick your head above the parapet and immediately draw fire. It must be emotionally draining, and those individuals that brave this deserve our utmost respect


kind?’, ‘What applications can it be used for?’ and, crucially, ‘how can it be implemented cost effectively and safely?’ Nuclear will not be the right answer for every country. However, there should at least be a balanced assessment with all options initially on the table. This is impossible to achieve when your starting point is that nuclear energy is illegal. You can’t expect to get a neutral or particularly rigorous cost analysis from your national market operator when there are no realistic prospects a nuclear plant could legally get built. As for other countries, in the USA there is now bipartisan support for nuclear energy between Republicans and Democrats, and a broad chorus of support for the culture of innovation and emerging start-up companies that are working on new technologies. This is alive and vibrant in Canada also. In the European Union a coalition of nuclear supportive


countries has emerged post-Brexit which is fighting for nuclear energy to not only be accepted as a sovereign right of member states, but also so that it receives a similar level of support as offered to renewables. The recent announcement that Estonia will formalise its nuclear programme is another (welcome) sign of the times. Head to Africa and many governments are trying to figure out how they can build nuclear energy sooner. Here, energy shortages serve as a constant reminder of how essential a reliable supply is to comfortable living and modernity. These counties are often forced to use more polluting alternatives and are held back on nuclear by a lack of infrastructure, governance and finances. Nuclear energy is growing steadily in China and about


to grow in India. New nuclear is also back on the cards in South Korea and even, potentially, Japan. In South East Asia – Australia’s nearest neighbours save for New Zealand – nuclear energy is getting set to debut with the Philippines currently leading the pack. Newcomer countries in multiple continents are pressing ahead with their programmes. Against this backdrop and resurgent global enthusiasm, the nuclear debate in Australia comes across as dreary and painfully out of touch.


Australians that work in the nuclear sector typically


possess a contrarian mindset. Most have had to go through a conversion experience at some point and will have fought for their corner against friends and family. Mention that you work in nuclear energy in London these


days and nine times out of ten the reaction will be someone wondering why the UK isn’t building more plants. There’s no need to think twice about answering the question ‘what do you do’, unless for some reason you don’t wish to have a conversation about climate and energy security. But across the ocean those who advocate for nuclear


in Australia are frequently met with character attacks and slander. To be a voice for nuclear down-under is to stick your head above the parapet and immediately draw fire. It must be emotionally draining, and those individuals that brave this deserve our utmost respect. A special shout out goes to the former Bright New World


team, the Australian Nuclear Association and Will Shackel for pushing the boulder up the hill. May it finally stay there one day. Tribute is owed to the late-great Ian Hore-Lacy, whose efforts likely changed the course of the global nuclear debate more than anyone realises. The irony of this internal conflict is that, in many ways,


Australia is already a nuclear country. It is home to one of the world’s most advanced medical and research reactors. It also boasts an enviable uranium mining sector and enormous reserves of the mineral. Some of the more promising nuclear fuel cycle technologies – synroc for the immobilisation of nuclear waste and laser enrichment – are Australian inventions. There is already a proud nuclear heritage in the country and little doubt that if a domestic nuclear power sector was allowed to take root, it would be truly exceptional. That Australia is now acquiring nuclear submarines


simply seals the deal. The synergies between a nuclear navy and civil nuclear power sector are too large to ignore. Those working on this on both sides of the political divide must surely be aware. One day the country will let go of outdated ideology and start building nuclear power plants. Let’s just hope for the sake of bright young Australians and the global climate that this comes sooner rather than later. ■


In many ways, Australia is already a nuclear country. It is home to one of the world’s most advanced medical and research reactors. It also boasts an enviable uranium mining sector and enormous reserves of the mineral. Some of the more promising nuclear fuel cycle technologies – synroc for the immobilisation of nuclear waste and laser enrichment – are Australian inventions. There is already a proud nuclear heritage in the country


www.neimagazine.com | July 2024 | 15


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