Nuclear Reactors
The Australian Nuclear Association supports the use of:
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- research reactors as sources of neutrons for research and production of radioisotopes,
- nuclear power reactors to produce electricity and heat for industry, and
- nuclear reactors for marine propulsion.
The following documents provide current information on nuclear reactors and nuclear energy.
What will it take? NUCLEAR POWER IN AUSTRALIA’S ENERGY TRANSITION – Robert Barr, Kirsty Braybon, Jasmin Diab, John Harries, Mark Ho, Tony Irwin, Adi Paterson, Robert Pritchard, Tina Soliman-Hunter, Martin Thomas, and Stephen Wilson. Transforming Energy Markets Research Centre (TEM) Macquarie University. April 2025
Nuclear Power Reactors in the World , Reference Data Series No. 2, 2024 edition. Recent reactor data available to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). It contains summarized information as of the end of 2023 on power reactors operating, under construction and shut down as well as performance data on reactors operating in the IAEA Member States.
Climate Change and Nuclear Power – financing nuclear energy in low carbon transitions – International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) 2024
Small modular reactors in the Australian context – Report by Ben Heard, published by the Minerals Council of Australia, Second Edition 2022
Nuclear Power and Secure Energy Transitions – International Energy Agency Sept 2022
The Case for SMRs in Australia – Report by SMR Nuclear Technology Pty Ltd, August 2021
What would be required for nuclear energy plants to be operating in Australia from the 2030s – Report by Stephen Wilson, University of Queensland, June 2021
Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020 – International Energy Agency Dec 2020
Links to useful websites
ANSTO: information on the 20 MW OPAL Research Reactor at Lucas Heights, NSW, as well as research projects on the use of nuclear technology in industry, materials, environment and health. ANSTO is home the OPAL nuclear research reactor, the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, , the Australian Synchrotron, the National Imaging Facility Research Cyclotron and the Centre for Accelerator Science.
Australian Submarine Agency is responsible for acquiring, constructing, delivering and technically governing Australia’s conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines via the AUKUS partnership.
Australasian Radiation Protection Society Inc (ARPS): ARPS is a professional society of members engaged in one or more aspects of radiation protection.
IAEA Power Reactor Information System (PRIS): a comprehensive data source on nuclear power reactors in the World. It includes reactor specification and performance history data, monthly power production and power losses data. You may need to create a free account to access some data.
Minerals Council of Australia: information on the Australian uranium mining industry
Nuclear for Australia: founded in December 2022 by Will Shackel to advance public debate on the peaceful uses of nuclear science, technology and applications. Very good fact sheets on nuclear basics, nuclear waste, nuclear safety, nuclear jobs, nuclear environment and nuclear economics.
Nuclear for Climate (Australia) advocates for nuclear energy to address climate change.
SMR Nuclear Technology Pty Ltd (SMR-NT) is an independent Australian-owned specialist consulting company, established to advise on and facilitate the siting, development and operation of nuclear power generation technologies, principally by Small Modular Reactors (SMRs).
World Nuclear News: daily public information on the subject of nuclear power, including background information, expert commentary and links to relevant authoritative sources. The first place to check for authoritative information on nuclear events in the news.
World Nuclear Association: provides authoritative information on a wide range of topics related to the uranium, nuclear power and nuclear fuel cycle around the world.
Some specific pages on the WNA website are:
Facts and figures on nuclear energy
Uranium mining and nuclear profile for Australia
Nuclear power in the world today
Nuclear power reactors
Table of World Nuclear Power Reactors and Uranium Requirements