National Party Senator Matthew Canavan has called for Australia to follow Italy’s lead in considering the lifting of its ban on nuclear power production. Italian authorities are currently discussing the possibility of drafting new laws by early 2025 to allow for the use of new nuclear power technology, reversing the country’s current ban. Italy’s Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin, a member of the Georgia Meloni government, has announced plans to conduct a comprehensive analysis of nuclear energy and determine what kind of laws would be necessary.
Senator Canavan, a strong advocate for nuclear power in Australia, believes that Italy’s move highlights the urgent need for change. He argues that relying solely on weather-dependent sources like wind and solar is not sustainable for an energy network. According to Canavan, including nuclear power as part of Australia’s energy mix is crucial if they want to maintain their industry without depending on intermittent energy sources.
Italy’s consideration of lifting its ban on nuclear power is driven by its recognition of the reliability that this form of energy provides. Nuclear power has been a contentious issue in Italy since referendums in 1987 and 2011 led to bans on nuclear-fired power plants following incidents like Chernobyl.
In contrast, Australia’s Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton has pledged to build seven nuclear power stations by 2050. However, this plan faces resistance from some states and concerns from businesses about delaying the transition towards renewable energy. Despite these challenges, the Coalition continues to support Dutton’s proposal.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has criticized Dutton’s policy as unrealistic due to timing and affordability concerns. Albanese argues that relying solely on fossil fuels for another 15 years will result in higher energy prices and less energy security.
According to a report from July 2024 by the World Nuclear Association, there are currently around 440 operating nuclear reactors across 32 countries plus Taiwan with a combined capacity of approximately 390 GW. These reactors generated around nine percent (2602 TWh)of global electricity consumption in 2023. The report also notes that approximately 30 countries are considering or planning their own nuclear programs while construction is underway for about sixty reactors across sixteen countries.
