Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has unveiled a nuclear energy policy aimed at achieving net zero emissions by 2050, proposing a budget of $331 billion, which he claims would save $260 billion compared to the Albanese government's plan.

Clare Savage, chair of the Australian Energy Regulator, has raised alarms about the reliability of the grid, citing that aging coal plants are causing outages and that replacing them with nuclear may not be timely enough.

This stance contrasts sharply with the government's strategy and the global trend towards electrification and renewable energy to meet emissions reduction targets.

However, economist Nicki Hutley warns that Dutton's plan may necessitate limiting the expansion of renewable energy in Australia, as nuclear energy is a constant power source.

The Coalition's modeling suggests that the total cost of integrating nuclear energy could reach $446 billion under a 'step change' scenario, while a 'progressive' scenario estimates it at $331 billion.

Labor has countered the Coalition's nuclear proposal by emphasizing the environmental risks of extending coal use and the high costs associated with nuclear energy, as highlighted in a recent report by the CSIRO.

The Coalition plans to construct seven publicly-owned nuclear plants near existing power stations to minimize the need for new transmission infrastructure, which they argue will lower overall system costs.

Experts express skepticism about the Coalition's timeline for developing nuclear plants, suggesting that establishing a nuclear industry could take at least 15 years, potentially failing to address immediate energy needs.

Public sentiment appears divided, with a recent survey indicating that while support for nuclear energy has slightly decreased, 58% of Australians remain open to its use.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other Labor leaders have ridiculed Dutton's approach, calling for more factual backing for his plans and highlighting the impracticality of the proposed nuclear timeline.

The Coalition's criticism of Labor's energy policies comes amid ongoing cost-of-living pressures for households, yet they lack a comprehensive emissions reduction strategy for the next decade.