⚛️ Unlocking Australia’s Energy Future
🔽 Download the full report or Read the Economic Impact Assessment to learn how nuclear can reshape our future.
A Vision for Prosperity, Security and Jobs in the Hunter Valley
Australia is facing an energy crossroads. Power bills are rising, coal plants are retiring, and our grid is losing the firm, reliable power that underpins modern industry. Amid this transition, a landmark study from the Page Research Centre reveals a bold solution: repowering the Hunter Valley with nuclear energy.
🏗 Economic Impact at a Glance
New modelling by Hatch shows the transformation of the Hunter Valley into a nuclear energy hub could deliver:
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$20.7B to $26.6B in regional economic activity during construction
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10,550 to 13,180 jobs in trades, engineering, and support services over 12 years
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$480M to $640M in annual economic value from ongoing operations
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1,955 to 2,645 long-term, high-quality jobs across the region
This isn’t just an energy solution — it’s a jobs and prosperity agenda for regional Australia.
🔋 Why Nuclear?
✅ Reliable, Baseload Power
Delivers consistent 24/7 electricity — unlike wind and solar, which depend on weather.
✅ Low Emissions, Small Footprint
Zero carbon at the point of generation, with a far smaller land footprint than renewables.
✅ Energy Security
Nuclear fuel can be stockpiled for years, shielding Australia from global supply shocks.
✅ Built on What We’ve Got
Sites like Liddell already have the infrastructure, water supply, and skilled workforce needed.
📍 The Hunter Valley Advantage
With its energy heritage, transmission lines, and regional workforce, the Hunter Valley is the ideal site for a modern nuclear facility. This project would give the region a new industrial future.
📈 Recommendations for Action
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Lift the ban on nuclear energy
End Australia’s outdated moratorium to enable a stable, low-emissions, and reliable power source that supports national prosperity and regional development. -
Develop a national nuclear energy strategy
Create a clear roadmap for integrating nuclear into our energy mix — including safety standards, regulatory frameworks, workforce planning, and siting criteria — to ensure an orderly and coordinated rollout. -
Prioritise infrastructure reuse
Locate nuclear facilities near existing transmission networks and industrial hubs, such as retired coal plant sites, to minimise grid costs and accelerate deployment. -
Support worker transition and training
Invest in education and upskilling programs to help workers from the coal sector and other industries move into secure, long-term roles in nuclear operations and maintenance. -
Engage and inform the public
Launch a national education campaign to address public concerns, highlight safety standards, and explain the economic and environmental benefits of nuclear power in plain terms.
