An inquiry into the consideration of nuclear power generation in Australia, including the deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs), in Australia. This interim report provides an overview of the evidence received on two significant issues about the viability of nuclear power generation in Australia that dominated the evidence received:

1. The timeframes for the deployment of nuclear power generation in Australia.
2. The cost of the deployment of nuclear power generation in Australia.

Based on the timeframes, the report provides an interim view that there is limited utility in pursuing nuclear power at this point as it cannot be deployed in time to support Australia's critical energy transition targets and climate commitments, or to assist the coal workforce and communities in their transition away from the coal industry. The evidence strongly indicated that SMR technology is not yet commercially available and so is not a viable option for Australia's energy needs.

Timeframes for nuclear power generation in Australia

• There would be significant challenges associated with establishing a nuclear power generation sector in Australia before the mid-2040s, at the earliest.
• Overall, there continues to be a lack of broad support for nuclear power generation in Australia.
• It could take up to a decade to establish an enabling regulatory environment for a new nuclear power industry.
• Australia's lack of nuclear power generation construction supply chain, experience and workforce capacity undermine its capacity to quickly deploy a new civil nuclear power sector.
• SMRs do not yet exist at a level of commercial readiness suitable for contemplating their deployment.
• There has been a frequent history of delays in nuclear power builds internationally, particularly for countries commencing a new nuclear power program.

Cost of nuclear power generation in Australia

• The Committee heard that nuclear power is costlier to build than the readily available alternatives in Australia.
• There was compelling evidence that nuclear power would cost consumers more to use.
• International experience demonstrates frequent significant cost overruns for nuclear power projects.
• Taxpayer funding of an uncertain nuclear venture during a cost-of-living crisis is a significant risk.
• The deployment of nuclear power generation in the Australian context is currently not a viable investment of taxpayer money.