Building nuclear power plants in Australia could cost double CSIRO predictions, energy experts warn

A nuclear power plant in Georgia in the US south. Experts say CSIRO modelling on the cost of nuclear power in Australia is based on economies that already have well-established nuclear industries. Photograph: Megan Varner/Reuters

Energy experts have warned that the cost of building nuclear power plants in Australia could be more than double the figure the CSIRO has suggested, based on international experience.

A draft GenCost report – the national science agency’s annual assessment of electricity costs – this week again found nuclear electricity would be far more expensive than solar and wind energy backed by “firming” technology.