Like too many Tasmanian communities last weekend (01.092024), my rural area lost power twice, as extreme wind and rain brought down trees and power lines. Food in fridges was ruined, our phones ran flat and our vulnerability became clear. Those who need machines to breathe while they sleep, or kidney dialysis were especially at risk.

The Australian Integrated System Plan 2024 is a useful baseline model for how energy use is predicted to change in Tasmania. It predicts our on-island demand for electricity will rise by 48% by 2035 and 55% by 2050. If Tasmania wants to continue to lead the world and lock in our status as a clean energy manufacturing and service hub, we need to measure the scale of the opportunity and make sure we support the innovators who are leading the way.

The United Kingdom has a long history of commercial and weaponized nuclear energy. It first developed nuclear weapons in 1952 and it opened its first nuclear power station in 1956.