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Australia
AUSTRALIA
| First Nuclear Power Plant Opened: | None |
| Number and Types of Nuclear Power Plants: | Australia has one nuclear research reactor. A replacement research reactor is set to be completed in 2006. |
| Percentage of National Energy From Nuclear Power: | 0% |
| Future Nuclear Power Plans: | In 2000, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) won apporoval to replace its HIFAR nuclear research reactor. As a result, ANSTO is currently constructing the Opal replacement reactor, set to come online in 2006. In addition, as a means to compensate for the forthcoming waste from the new research reactor, the government is evaluating various northern territories as sites for waste storage. Furthermore, in what has become a seemingly universal re-evaluation of nuclear power in response to global warming issues, the nuclear power debate is re-surfacing in Australia. |
ANALYSIS / ISSUES
Australia maintains its status as a nuclear-free country, with the exception of its research reactor in Lucas Heights. Ironically, Australia has the world's largest recoverable uranium repository and is the world's second largest uranium supplier. Despite its recent history, Australia has not always been contrary to the use of nuclear power. In fact, in 1953, the Australian Parliament formed the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC) to build a nuclear power facility to generate electricity. However, with the ascension of the green party politics, Australia's nuclear policy was altered. Subsequently, in 1987, the AAEC was replaced by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), which was commissioned to discard the development of nuclear power. Consequently, the HIFAR research reactor was redirected towards environmental research and the creation of isotopes for medical purposes .
Until recently, the use of nuclear power has been widely regarded by Australians as unnecessary due to Australia's abundantly cheap coal resources, which constitutes 78% of Australia's electricity . However, as result of the growing concern regarding global warming coupled by the realignment of several prominent environmentalists endorsing nuclear power, which does not emit greenhouse gases, Australia has been recently reconsidering the nuclear option. It is certain that any repositioning of Australia's nuclear policy will surely be met with fierce opposition from environmental groups, who are currently even opposed to the replacement Opal research reactor.