Minister Says Opposition’s Nuclear Plan Could Cause 49 Percent Electricity Shortfall by 2035

Energy Minister Chris Bowen has criticised the Liberal-National Coalition’s energy policies, warning it will result in a 49 percent shortfall in electricity supply by 2035. Bowen’s remarks come from an opinion piece discussing the opposition’s proposed shift towards nuclear power and pausing new renewable investment. He said Australia’s electricity grid operated on a complex system of expert decision-making and long-term planning. He argues that the Coalition’s plan, which he says, involves defunding critical transmission infrastructure and freezing renewable energy investments, will undermine the grid’s stability, leaving Australians at risk of frequent power shortages. “The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) sets strict reliability standards for generators and networks. Even if AEMO predicts a small 0.002 percent gap between supply and demand, it raises concerns of a potential breach,” says Bowen in his piece....