And now we have this - published in todays's AFR :Australiadoesn’t need nuclear: IEA boss
Hans van Leeuwen
AFR correspondent
Paris | Australia does not need to join theglobal nuclear energy renaissance, and should focus on its advantages inrenewable energy, the head of the International Energy Agency says.
In an interview with AFR Weekend in Paris,Fatih Birol, one of the world’s most influential energy officials, challengedthe Coalition’s plan to make nuclear power a centrepiece of Australian energypolicy.
‘‘When I look around the world, nuclear ismaking a strong comeback. I have been a proponent of nuclear for many years,’’he said. ‘‘But if there is a country that has a lot of resources from othersources, such as solar and wind, I wouldn’t see nuclear as a priority option.I’m talking about Australia.’’
The IEA supported France, Britain and Japanmaking a renewed push on nuclear, Dr Birol said. But the time frame forstarting a nuclear industry from scratch, as Australia would have to, was toolong. ‘‘For Australia, we have other priorities to push,’’ he said.
He said this also applied to small modularreactors, which are less costly to build but are not yet commercially proven.
