Australia is embroiled in a peculiar energy debate regarding the necessity of nuclear power, which many argue is unwarranted. Recently, I found myself in an unusual online discussion that linked Australia to Germany, highlighting differing views on energy solutions. The leader of Australia's fossil fuel-funded Liberal Party is advocating for nuclear energy as the solution to the country's power needs.

To understand this stance, it's essential to recognize that Australia is not heavily industrialized. The nation enjoys vast expanses of wind, sun, and unoccupied land, with a remarkably low population density—an average of three people per square kilometer, starkly contrasted with Europe's 34, China's 152, and Singapore’s staggering 8,592. Most Australians live along the eastern coast, leaving much of the interior sparsely populated.

Venture just outside cities like Sydney, and you'll encounter vast stretches of arid land. As a resource-rich nation, Australia's mining sector is not limited to coal. Interestingly, Australians possess more living space per person than Americans, largely due to the abundance of land allowing for spacious, often single-story homes.

The country's capacity for solar energy is impressive, with a significant per capita installation of rooftop solar panels, facilitated by its vast rooftops—though many opt for trendy black roofs that increase cooling costs by AU$700 annually. Despite this, Australia boasts the highest per capita penetration of rooftop solar globally, even if it is overshadowed by China's overall solar capacity.

Australia also leads in wind energy production, contributing to a unique phenomenon known as "wind energy syndrome." This public health hysteria, which began in the mid-2000s, was fueled by misinformation from a discredited Australian doctor funded by fossil fuel interests opposing wind farms.

In addition to its wealth of solar and wind resources, Australia is rich in minerals like copper and aluminum, essential for electrical infrastructure, as well as battery materials. Although much of this extraction is offshore, plans are underway to establish a high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable manufacturing facility, enhancing energy export capabilities.

Australia's geography allows for efficient transmission of solar energy from the east to the high-demand regions in the west through an HVDC network. Furthermore, the country has significant off-river pumped hydro resources, which present excellent energy storage opportunities near population centers.

However, the Snowy River 2.0 project serves as a cautionary tale regarding the challenges of pumped hydro. Tunneling issues have plagued this initiative, highlighting the intricate difficulties involved in such megaprojects. Despite this, with proper expertise and planning, Australia could effectively utilize its pumped hydro resources.

Despite the potential for renewable energy, nuclear power remains a contentious topic. The fossil fuel industry views nuclear as a means to delay the transition away from fossil fuels. Nuclear promises to satisfy conservative agendas while also leveraging Australia's substantial uranium reserves, which account for 23% of the global total.

Recently, a UK gas strategist shared an article by two Australian academics arguing that renewables could not sufficiently meet energy demands, calling for nuclear energy. They claimed no country could operate solely on renewables, to which I countered with examples of ten nations already achieving 100% renewable energy.

When discussing the viability of renewables, an Australian engaged in mining decarbonization challenged the examples I provided, dismissing them as theoretical. Despite their background, they seemed unaware of their biases and continued to promote the idea that natural gas was essential for decarbonization.

This conversation underscored the deep-seated biases and misconceptions surrounding energy policy in Australia. The persistent advocacy for nuclear energy, despite the nation's substantial renewable resources, exemplifies the complexities and contradictions within the ongoing energy debate.