Coalition's Nuclear Plan Raises Concerns Over Regional Water Supply

Government analysis warns proposed nuclear plants could demand significantly more water than coal plants, impacting agriculture and communities.

The Coalition's proposal to build seven nuclear power plants could require up to three times more water annually than the coal plants they would replace, according to government analysis.
Labor officials estimate the nuclear plants would need an additional 508,000 megalitres of water per year, equivalent to the volume of Sydney Harbour, raising concerns about water scarcity in drought-prone regions.
Experts note that nuclear plants generally consume more water than coal plants due to their higher operational capacity and cooling requirements, though some dispute the extent of the difference.
Farmers and water advocacy groups warn that increased competition for limited water resources could harm agriculture and raise water prices in regional communities.
The Coalition asserts that their nuclear plants would operate within existing water allocations, but questions remain about water availability at sites without current licences, such as Port Augusta and Collie.