Nuclear Energy FAQs

Here are answers to questions often asked about nuclear energy

Safety

Q: Is it safe to have a nuclear reactor in Australia?

Q: Could an accident like Fukushima happen again?

Q: Can nuclear power plants handle the extreme weather and earthquakes of Australia?

Q: Can Australia prevent accidents when it is new to nuclear power?

Waste

Q: How can Australia handle all the nuclear waste from several nuclear power plants?

Q: What would Australia do with a lot of nuclear waste?

Q: What do we do with nuclear waste in the long run?

Cost

Q: Is nuclear energy going to be too expensive for Australia?

Q: Is there a point in removing the ban on nuclear energy if it’s too expensive for us anyway?

Q: Why spend money on nuclear power if we have wind and solar power in spades?

Q: Will Australia be able to afford to go into serious debt to pay for nuclear power plants?

Water

Q: Does nuclear consume too much water?

Q: How do nuclear power plants use water?

Q: What if there isn’t a good water source nearby?

Capabilities

Q: How could Australia, with no nuclear power, develop the capabilities to handle nuclear in time?

Q: Would Australia even be able to develop the legislation for a nuclear power program?

Q: Does Australia have the skilled people to be able to build and operate nuclear power plants?

The Australian Nuclear Association Inc (ANA) is an independent incorporated scientific institution which promotes the education, knowledge and practice of the peaceful, safe and effective use of nuclear science and technology to benefit people, science and the environment.

ANA supports the use of nuclear science and technology in Australia, including nuclear techniques in research, industry and medicine; research reactors as a source of neutrons for research and production of radioisotopes; nuclear power plants to produce electricity and the use of nuclear power for marine propulsion.

ANA strongly supports the use of nuclear power plants as reliable, affordable and low carbon generators of electricity and as a low carbon source of heat for industry. Adding nuclear energy to Australia’s energy future would help meet our international obligations on carbon emissions, improve energy security and contribute to our economic future. Australia can benefit from current and emerging advanced reactor designs as well as from the considerable international experience accumulated in regulating and operating nuclear power plants, taking into account safety, environmental, technical, economic and social factors. Federal and State legislative nuclear prohibitions should be repealed so that nuclear energy can be considered on its merits.

ANA strongly supports establishment of a national radioactive waste management facility for the management of intermediate level radioactive waste and the disposal of low level radioactive waste from all Commonwealth agencies as well from the States and Territories.