Electricity cost could rise 30 per cent, Macfarlane says.


Australian consumers are being warned to expect a major increase in the cost of electricity if nuclear power and clean coal technologies are adopted.
Federal Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says nuclear power and more immediately, clean coal technologies, will increase power costs by as much as 30 per cent.
"It would be sometime in the next decade and they will see the cost of electricity rise by perhaps as much as 20 to 30 per cent," he said.
He says nuclear power will become more commercially viable relative to coal power.
"If we see the current technology that the Commonwealth Government and industries are investing billions of dollars in, we're going to see the cost of electricity generated by fossil fuels through low emission technology rise to a stage where nuclear energy is more competitive within the next decade," he said.
The nuclear power report's author Ziggy Switkowski says any price increase would not be noticeable.
"The changes are probably not going to be noticeable at the household budget level," he told the ABC's Lateline.
As well as suggesting 25 nuclear power stations could be built, the nuclear report also highlights the need for a price penalty to be placed on coal power pollution.
The Minerals Council's chief Mitch Hooke is wary.
"This has to be about real solutions," he said.
Mr Macfarlane maintains carbon pricing would only be adopted as part of a global agreement.
The Prime Minister has endorsed nuclear power stations as part of the solution to greenhouse gases.
Labor has attacked the Government's nuclear review for suggesting 25 nuclear power stations could be added to the Australian landscape and is calling on the Government to reveal possible sites.
In other developments:
The Western Australian Premier, Alan Carpenter, says if Australia turns to nuclear energy at least one nuclear power station will be built in the state. (Full Story)
The South Australian Government will consider banning nuclear power stations. (Full Story)
Environmentalists have attacked today's report on nuclear power and uranium mining. (Full Story)
The Queensland Premier, Peter Beattie, says he will carefully study a new report into nuclear power in Australia, but he remains opposed to the concept. (Full Story)
The mining industry has welcomed the review of nuclear energy in Australia, saying the debate so far has been hijacked by misinformation. (Full Story)
Federal Environment Minister Senator Ian Campbell has accused opponents of scaremongering by claiming proposed new laws will allow Australia to import nuclear waste that is generated in other countries. (Full Story)
The Federal Government's review of uranium mining and nuclear power has found nuclear energy is a practical option for Australia. (Full Story)
Related Links:
Nuclear power a practical option for Australia
Opinion piece by Review head Ziggy Switkowski
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