"Weeks out from the Cop26 climate summit in Glasgow, political figures and commentators have again suggested Australia should consider nuclear energy as part of its future power grid.

Here is what we know about the pros and cons of nuclear power in an Australian context.

Why was nuclear never adopted in Australia?

Australian governments have always talked about building nuclear power plants, but never actually followed through. While Australia holds 31% of the world’s supply of uranium, it has always been cheaper to rely on an ocean of cheap coal, gas and oil for power. Australia’s only nuclear reactor, at Lucas Heights, south of Sydney, is for scientific and medical research, and produces mostly low-level waste.

Why has the idea been revived now?

Nuclear power appears to solve a political dilemma. As it does not rely on fossil fuels, some who care about the climate emergency see it as the fastest way to deliver zero-carbon power. Others who rightly point out that moving away from fossil fuels will hit working-class regions hardest see the 'dispatchable power' offered by nuclear reactors as the basis of a new social compact that will pay high salaries while 'firming' up the grid."