As the federal election draws near, the bitter battle over power prices rages.
Electricity bills rose by as much as 16 per cent on average in the last financial year, according to the Australian Energy Regulator.
Labor is doubling down on renewables, sticking to its pledge of 82% renewables by 2030, offering households a 30% discount on solar batteries and extending power bill relief..
Meanwhile, the Coalition is shifting away from renewables to back nuclear. It's promising seven nuclear power stations to be built across five states, claiming the first will be up and running by 2035, while extending the lifespan of coal fired power plants..
It says by 2050, the transition to nuclear would cost taxpayers $330 billion, which would generate 38 per cent of electricity, with another 49 per cent coming from wind and solar.
But these numbers are hotly contested. Experts including the CSIRO say nuclear will take too long and cost more than renewables.
While the debate on nuclear rages, the opposition is also focusing on its gas reservation policy.
Both parties are aiming to meet net zero emission targets by 2050. 2019 was the warmest year on record. last year was the second warmest. But the pitch to voters has shifted away from campaigning on climate change to lowering power bills.
Director of Victoria Energy Policy Centre at Victoria University, Bruce Mountain says "there's no country I can point to globally that in the transition has achieved greatly lower prices."
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