According to a report commissioned by Liberals Against Nuclear, approximately 90% of the nuclear generation capacity proposed by the Coalition would lack sufficient water to operate safely. The report, authored by Prof Andrew Campbell, assessed the water demands of nuclear energy and the available water sources at the seven proposed sites for new reactors.

Campbell concluded that replacing coal generation with “off the shelf” nuclear technology would require 200 gigalitres of water annually. It was found that half of the proposed nuclear capacity already faced challenges due to water scarcity, with an additional 40% needing to be reduced during dry seasons.

The report cited specific locations such as Loy Yang in Victoria, Mt Piper in NSW, and Muja in Western Australia, where the existing water availability is constrained, and new nuclear power stations would be unable to secure reliable cooling water for the long term.

Concerns were raised about the significant water demands at Callide in Queensland and Liddell in New South Wales, which could impact other water users and environmental needs. Dave Sweeney, a nuclear policy analyst at the Australian Conservation Foundation, described nuclear power as the “thirstiest” of energy sources, requiring more water per kilowatt hour than coal and significantly more than renewable sources.

The Nationals senator Perin Davey, who is the shadow water minister, further commented that the water needs of the proposed nuclear plans could be met through existing water licenses, contradicting concerns raised by the report. However, experts like Dr Mark Diesendorf noted that Australia’s dry climate made water usage an important consideration. Additionally, studies suggested that nuclear reactors would require about 15% more water than coal-fired power plants, contributing to existing concerns about water scarcity and the feasibility of nuclear energy in the country.