lt is estimated by industry pundits that Australia's electricity demand is going to roughly double by 2050 as we electrify everything .
Then there's the curve ball of data centres that are appearing already.
Let's not forget that the existing grid is over 50 years old. lt already has a few problems. Especially between Vic and NSW .
Then there's the small problem of where towers have been blowing over. Either they weren't engineered correctly or weather conditions have changed .
On top of that is the technology improvement in HV cable . l listened to a podcast with a US manufacturer a while back. For the same size cable the new gear can carry triple the current . They are also mechanically much stronger and have much less sag in hot conditions. So the whole grid will need upgrading anyway . No one's driving a 50 year old car. We shouldn't be relying on 50 year old power lines.
At the very first pass many people might think that just replacing the baseload coal fired power stations with nuclear is the simplest idea . They're both thermal stations. Already have the sites and the grid connections . l can see how the average uninformed person on the street could think that concept makes sense.
That's what the Dud's banking on .
Trouble is , that's not how it works . Baseload anything is already a dead man walking. lt's done. Very flexible , widely distributed , very cheap renewable generation is far superior.
All the Dud is achieving is making investors nervous. Some are holding off just in case the Dud wins the election. That's hurting Australia.
That's why its really important that the real story gets out there . People need all the information so that they can make the best decision come election time.
