Australia's election centers on energy policy challenges

Australia's upcoming federal election, set for on or before May 17, 2025, will focus on energy policy, particularly nuclear energy. Voters will choose between an 82% renewable energy target from the Labor government and the Liberal-National Party's plan for 13 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2051. Challenges such as grid instability, power shortages, and infrastructure issues threaten the energy transition. Research indicates that achieving the Labor government's renewable target may be difficult, with a more realistic estimate of around 65% renewable energy share. If Labor wins, Australia could see a record addition of 7.2 gigawatts of renewable energy and gas annually. In contrast, an LNP victory may slow solar and wind deployment, but the extent of this reduction remains uncertain.