Would it really take decades for Australia to have nuclear?

In recent weeks, numerous politicians have claimed that it would take at least two decades for Australia to establish a civil nuclear power capability. But how long would it really take for Australia to have a functioning nuclear reactor providing power?

The timeline largely depends on several factors, including regulatory frameworks, community engagement, and construction processes. However, if Australia were to follow global best practices, it could achieve this much sooner than the pessimistic estimates suggest.

According to Helen Cook, a highly respected expert in nuclear law, Australia could have a reactor operational within 10 to 12 years. This estimate accounts for the necessary steps such as setting up a regulatory structure, engaging with the community, and building the reactor itself.

A compelling example is the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which announced its nuclear ambitions in 2008. Despite having no prior experience with nuclear technology, no nuclear regulatory body, and facing the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, their first reactor became commercially operational within 13 years.

Australia, by contrast, has operated research reactors for decades and boasts a world-class regulatory authority, the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). The country also has considerable experience managing radioactive waste. For example, it took just five years to build Australia’s latest research reactor, OPAL, which is now considered a state-of-the-art facility.

With the right level of ambition and by adhering to international best practices, Australia could realistically establish nuclear power in a much shorter timeframe, potentially within a decade. The question is whether the political will and societal consensus are aligned to make it happen.