The Liberal Party's 2025 policy backs Small Modular Reactors at former coal plants by 2035, funded by 20-year zero-interest CEFC loans and enabled by repealing the federal nuclear ban.
Why nuclear is back on the table
After decades of being politically untouchable, nuclear energy has re-entered mainstream Australian political discourse. The Liberal Party's pivot toward nuclear power is driven by three key factors reshaping the energy landscape.
Rising power prices and reliability concerns have become central issues for Australian households and businesses. As coal-fired power stations reach end-of-life and are retired, the challenge of maintaining baseload power while transitioning to cleaner energy has become more pressing.
The baseload challenge
- Coal retirements bring baseload shortfall: Major coal plants are scheduled for closure throughout the 2020s and 2030s
- Grid stability concerns: Renewable energy requires backup storage or dispatchable power for reliability
- International cost trends: Small Modular Reactor cost-curves are trending downward globally
- Energy security: Reduced dependence on gas imports and volatile renewable generation
The Liberal position argues that nuclear power offers a proven technology for providing reliable, carbon-free baseload electricity that can complement renewable energy sources rather than compete with them.
Projected SMR LCOE vs gas & renewables (2035)
Levelised cost in $/MWh: SMR, gas peaker, firmed solar+wind
Key elements of the Liberal plan
The Liberal Party's nuclear energy policy centers on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) rather than traditional large-scale nuclear plants. This approach is designed to be more politically palatable and technically feasible for Australia's energy system.
Liberal Nuclear Implementation Plan
Small Modular Reactor basics
SMRs represent a new generation of nuclear technology designed to be safer, more flexible, and economically viable at smaller scales than traditional nuclear plants:
- Capacity under 470 MW: Much smaller than conventional nuclear plants (typically 1000+ MW)
- Factory manufactured: Built in factories and transported to sites, reducing construction time and costs
- Passive safety systems: Designed to shut down safely without external power or human intervention
- Modular deployment: Multiple units can be added as demand grows
Legislative changes required
Implementing nuclear power in Australia requires significant legislative reform:
- Repeal of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act nuclear prohibition
- Development of nuclear safety and regulatory framework through ARPANSA
- State government cooperation for planning and environmental approvals
- Workforce development and training programs for nuclear technicians
Timeline & next steps
The Liberal Party has outlined an ambitious but realistic timeline for nuclear power introduction, acknowledging the substantial regulatory, technical, and community engagement work required.
Implementation timeline and milestones
The Liberal nuclear program follows a carefully sequenced timeline designed to address regulatory, technical, and community acceptance challenges. Each phase builds on previous achievements while maintaining flexibility for course corrections.
- 2025-26: Feasibility studies & site selection: Comprehensive technical assessments of former coal sites, community consultation processes, and preliminary regulatory framework development
- 2027: Environmental approvals & community vote: Environmental impact assessments, state government negotiations, and local community referendums on proposed sites
- 2030: First concrete pour if LNP wins two terms: Construction commencement contingent on regulatory approvals, technology selection, and sustained political support
- 2035: First SMR operational target: Grid connection and commercial operation of inaugural Small Modular Reactor facility
Australian public support for nuclear 2010-2025
Essential poll percentages by year
Key Policy Points
Frequently Asked Questions
The Liberal Party's nuclear energy policy represents a significant shift in Australian energy policy, offering an alternative pathway to decarbonization that complements rather than replaces renewable energy. Success will depend on sustained political support, community acceptance, regulatory development, and technological maturation of SMR technology.
For more information on energy policy alternatives, explore the Liberal Party profile or compare across the full policy comparison.