This month, in addition to our deep dive session, we are also pleased to welcome Sean Kidney, CEO, Climate Bonds Initiative, who will provide a brief update on CBI’s activities globally.
This Month’s Topic: Fission Impossible: Does Nuclear Fit in Australia’s Energy Mix?
What’s changing: In the next decade, Australia’s economy will face the dual challenges of rising costs associated with climate change and an ageing fleet of coal-fired power stations. As the energy transition progresses, some stakeholders are advocating for the introduction of nuclear technologies into the Australian energy mix.
Why it matters: While advocates claim nuclear could provide net-zero emissions energy in support of Australia’s energy transition, the reality is more complex.
A recent cost study by CSIRO and the Australian Energy Market Operator (‘GenCost‘) highlighted the high costs and lengthy construction times of nuclear power, suggesting nuclear plants won’t be ready in time to replace Australia’s retiring coal-fired power stations.
IGCC’s most recent State of Net Zero survey found that investors not only welcomed policy certainty around climate solutions but also rank nuclear technologies last in terms of potential climate investments. A national debate about the merits of nuclear power versus renewables risks renewed policy uncertainty, potentially causing investors to hesitate in backing major renewable energy projects critical for accelerating the energy transition.
In this session: We will be joined by Tennant Reed (Director, Climate Change and Energy – The Australian Industry Group) and Dylan McConnell (Senior Research Associate – University of NSW) to explore:
- The feasibility of nuclear in supporting Australia’s energy transition: Focussing on the economics of nuclear energy and the GenCost report’s cost assessment.
- The practical challenges of nuclear power: Including its implications for the National Electricity Market.
- The impact of nuclear on Australia’s policy landscape.
- The impact of nuclear on investor confidence: In allocating capital towards clean energy solutions.
Join us to gain valuable insights and engage in this critical debate on the future role of nuclear power in Australia’s energy transition.
Please register to attend below:
Featured speakers
Rebecca Mikula-Wright,
CEO, IGCC & AIGCC
Rebecca is the Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Investor Group on Climate Change (AIGCC) and Investor Group on Climate Change (IGCC). She sits on the Steering Committees for Climate Action 100+, the Net Zero Asset Managers initiative and the Investor Agenda, as well as the Executive Committee for the Paris Aligned Asset Owners. Rebecca has worked in climate change, sustainability and investment banking for over 20 years in Hong Kong, Europe and Australia.
Sean Kidney,
CEO - Climate Bonds Initiative
Sean Kidney is CEO of the Climate Bonds Initiative, an international NGO working to mobilize global capital for climate action. He oversees green bond development programs on six continents; green taxonomy development by governments ranging from the European Commission to Thailand & Colombia; and policy development for capital mobilization. Sean is also a Professor in Practice at SOAS University of London and an expert advisor to governments around the world. In 2024 Sean joined the GF60 International Expert Advisory Group for Shanghai Green Finance Hub Policy Research.
Tennant Reed,
Director - Climate Change and Energy, Ai Group
Tennant Reed is Director – Climate Change and Energy at Ai Group. He has worked on these issues since 2008, advising Ai Group’s Leaders’ Group on Energy and Climate Policy; coordinating joint research and advocacy with wider energy stakeholders; facilitating the Australian Climate Roundtable; developing reports on energy prices, carbon border adjustments and business energy use; reviewing emissions targets for the State of Victoria; and closely observing international climate negotiations.
Dylan McConnell,
Senior Research Associate, UNSW
Dr Dylan McConnell is renewable energy & energy systems researcher at UNSW Sydney. He has extensive experience in analysing the electricity sector in Australia. Dylan’s work is focused the energy transition in liberalised electricity markets. He specialises in operations research and the optimisation of electricity systems. His work is interdisciplinary and has been published in forums including the Journal of Energy Policy, the Journal of Applied Energy, the Electricity Journal, and the Journal of Environmental Sociology.