Arabic version: حزب أمة واحدة يتعهد بتمديد تشغيل لوي يانغ وإلغاء حظر الطاقة النووية
According to ABC News, One Nation has pledged to keep coal-fired power running at Gippsland’s Loy Yang A and lift Victoria’s ban on nuclear energy if elected at the November state election. Party leader Pauline Hanson and Victorian leader Warren Pickering announced the energy policy at the Latrobe Valley power station, east of Melbourne.
Mr Pickering said One Nation would not allow Loy Yang A to close in 2035 as planned. The party says government policy has contributed to coal’s decline by discouraging owners from undertaking maintenance. Mr Pickering said One Nation had not discussed keeping the plant open, or potential costs to the state government, with its owner. He said the intention would be to encourage industry, through future security, to make the required capital expenditure.
One Nation would also seek to repeal Victoria’s 1983 ban on constructing nuclear power facilities. Mr Pickering said Victorians should have an opportunity to take part in nuclear technology, referring to thorium nuclear micro-reactors and the party’s federal position on developing a nuclear facility on the eastern seaboard. The party has additionally pledged to remove renewable energy zones in western Victoria and a coastal offshore-wind zone, and to abandon Victoria’s net-zero emissions commitment.
AGL, the operator of Loy Yang, said it was aware of the policy announcement and restated the planned 2035 closure date for Loy Yang A. Grattan Institute energy program director Tony Wood said the policy package could have major implications, including risks to reliability and higher prices, because aging coal plants become less reliable and more expensive to operate. He also cited nuclear construction costs, the lack of a domestic nuclear industry, limited university expertise and absent regulatory structures as barriers. Victoria University’s Bruce Mountain said removing renewable energy zones might have little practical effect, describing them as broad labels that do not guarantee renewable generation or create new rights or permits.
