Nuclear for Australia Founder Will Shackel appeared on the Kenny Report to discuss recent nuclear developments.
Interview Transcript
Chris Kenny (Host): Let's get back to the energy debate and listen to the international energy agency's executive director talking up nuclear in Canberra yesterday.
Dr Fatih Birol (Clip): Plus the nuclear power nuclear is making a big comeback. I can tell you I have said it four years ago and is coming very strong. This will also help to that and therefore renewables will play a big role here and not driven by the again climate change concerns. The main drive will not be climate change. Main drive will be energy security.
Chris Kenny (Host): Yeah, let's bring in Will Shackel, of course, the founder of Nuclear for Australia, joins me in the studio. Good to see you again, Will. Um, it was interesting to hear what Fatih Birol had to say about nuclear. Of course, he's bullish on nuclear. You need nuclear if you're going to do anything about getting to net zero, but he's pretending that solar and renewables can be great for energy security as well. That that that's a nonsense. That's where nuclear actually gives you that stability you need.
Will Shackel (Founder of Nuclear for Australia): 100%. There's a reason why 38 countries around 70% of global GDP are now signed up to triple global nuclear capacity. And he had to acknowledge that yesterday in the press club. He also acknowledged the fact that Australia's got a worldleading uranium reserve which we should be taking advantage of. So obviously it was disappointing to see him not fully back nuclear in Australia. I think he's, you know, right to reflect on the huge global progress at the moment because nuclear is essential for energy security.
Chris Kenny (Host): Yeah, that was an interesting point. He said that we should take advantage of our uranium reserves. Well, we are. We're exporting from three uranium mines, but what do you think he means by take advantage from it? Obviously, a domestic nuclear industry is one way, but surely we should be processing here. Maybe we should be exporting enriched uranium.
Will Shackel (Founder of Nuclear for Australia): The issue at the moment is South Australia is the only state which is actively exporting uranium. We have bans in place in New South Wales, policy bans in West Australia, Queensland which have significant uranium reserves. So they have to be lifted as a first step to unlock our full uranium potential. But importantly there's some progress in New South Wales. John Ruddic has a bill in order to lift those and then obviously we can have a conversation about getting involved in value adding that uranium because there are so many regional partners of ours which are looking for Australia to play a role in delivering the uranium to power their new nuclear plants.
Chris Kenny (Host): Yeah, you've been at New South Wales Parliament today focusing on that. It's a reminder that as well as a national ban, we have to get rid of those state bans before any private investment can come in. Let's have a little bit more uh uh from um from Fatih Birol from the International Energy Agency in CRA yesterday.
Dr Fatih Birol (Clip): We are seeing a big comeback of nuclear power around the world. But not every country needs to build nuclear power plant if they need it or not. For example, I will be very very proud what we have achieved here for solar and the domestic batteries. If somebody asked me, does Austria need today build a nuclear power plant? I would say no, but make the most out of the uranium reserves you have.
Chris Kenny (Host): Now, it's an illogical position he puts there. It's [clears throat] very illogical. I mean, the United Arab Emirates has a lot of sun and they've got nuclear power as well. They realise they need it. The United States has a lot of sun. That the point is that what's he doing here? Why is he saying this? Is it just to please the host government? Is he spouting the lines he's got from Chris Bowen?
Will Shackel (Founder of Nuclear for Australia): Well, I was in the room and he told us that afterwards he was meeting with the prime minister. So, I assume he's being politically correct. He hasn't been uh very favorable to the case for nuclear in Australia, but I think the reality is we need to have all clean energy options in the mix.
Chris Kenny (Host): Sure. But let's jump in there. He actually said the potential in Australia is for solar and batteries. We know that that's impossible. That's where where Bowen and others been putting all their effort. Solar and domestic batteries. Now, that might be good for a homeowner if you can get a big enough battery, but that is no way to run a modern economy. It can't be done. You can't have energy security, and he shouldn't be pushing that nonsense.
Will Shackel (Founder of Nuclear for Australia): And 100% the government's set to miss their renewable target by up to 17%. So, there's huge gaps even in the government's own ambition. So, I think if Dr Birol was more familiar with the situation in Australia, he'd obviously see that at least we need to have the ban lifted because we need nuclear in this country, particularly with rising electricity demand from AI.
Chris Kenny (Host): Well, we first spoke to you when you started Nuclear for Australia when you're at school, I think in year 11. Yes. You're now at university at ANU and you're still on the case. That's great stuff. Will appreciate it.
[End]