‘Real and growing’ threat to grid if Australia goes for nuclear power, Aemo says

Aemo says there is a ‘real and growing’ possibility that replacement power generation will not be ready when coal stations are retired. Photograph: Gareth Fuller/PA

There is no chance nuclear energy will get online in time to replace retiring coal-fired power plants and any delays in rolling out renewables will likely lead to higher costs and interrupted grid supply, the market operator has warned.

“The possibility that replacement generation is not available when coal power stations retire is real and growing, and a risk that must be avoided,” the Australian Energy Market Operator (Aemo) said in its Integrated System Plan (ISP). “The sooner firmed renewables are connected, the more secure the energy transition will be.”