Energy regulator says nuclear unlikely before 2050 as Chris Bowen attacks Coalition’s ‘risky’ plan

The energy minister, Chris Bowen, told the National Press Club the Coalition’s nuclear energy plan was aimed at delaying action on climate change. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Australia is unlikely to be have nuclear reactors operating before 2050, more than a decade after the federal opposition’s target, according to the chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, Clare Savage.

Her comments, made to the Australian Clean Energy Summit in Sydney on Tuesday, were echoed by the federal energy minister, Chris Bowen at the National Press Club lunch in Canberra.