Nuclear Power at Least 15 Years Away: CSIRO

Wind power is more expensive than first thought, but renewables remain the lowest cost to build, the CSIRO’s latest GenCost report says.

A view of the Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm amongst existing electricity pylons on the Romney Marsh in Kent, England, on Dec. 28, 2017. Gareth Fuller/PA Wire

Nuclear generation on the scale being promoted by proponents—including the federal opposition—is unprecedented, but there are “no known technical barriers” to it going ahead, Australia’s national science agency says.

The GenCost report is prepared each year by CSIRO (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) in collaboration with the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) and covers the cost of building future electricity generation, storage, and hydrogen production.