Australia’s Current Energy Policy a ‘Dangerous Experiment’ – Risks Trillions in Costs and Irreparable Damage

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 30 April 2025

Australia’s energy future is in jeopardy, according to a major open letter signed today by over 50 of the nation’s leading scientists, engineers, economists, conservationists, business leaders, union leaders, and energy experts.

The signatories warn that Australia’s current energy policies are ideologically driven and risk becoming a multi-trillion-dollar, irreversible economic and environmental disaster.

Key Points from the Open Letter:

•       Australia’s energy transition is proceeding without sufficient scientific rigour, transparency, or cost accountability.

•       Full renewable transition costs are projected between $7 trillion and $9 trillion — equivalent to up to $850,000 per Australian household.

•       Renewable-only plans pose a severe threat to grid stability, affordability, and national energy sovereignty.

•       Nuclear energy is being misrepresented and prematurely dismissed; reliable, zero-emission nuclear power could be delivered for around $120 billion — a fraction of the renewables rollout cost.

•       Billions in taxpayer subsidies are flowing offshore to foreign-controlled renewable companies, with limited transparency or return for Australian taxpayers.

•       Environmental damage from large-scale wind and solar developments is being overlooked by major energy councils and environmental non for profits.

Major Signatories Include:

•       Dick Smith, Australian Inventor, Entrepreneur, and Australian of the Year

•       Dr Adi Paterson, Former CEO of ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation)

•       Steven Nowakowski, Conservationist

•       Aidan Morrison, Energy Systems Expert

•       David Scroggie, Business Leader

•       Jennie George AO, Former President of the ACTU 

Usable Quotes:

Dick Smith:

“Without nuclear energy, Australia faces economic catastrophe. Renewables alone cannot provide the reliable, continuous power we need. We are being led into a trillion-dollar disaster by ideology, not science.”

Dr Adi Paterson:

“Australia has the engineering expertise, natural resources, and capacity to deliver a balanced and responsible energy system which includes nuclear in a reasonable amount of time. Global evidence from democratic nations is clear: the most reliable, lowest-emission, and most affordable electricity systems always include nuclear.”

Steven Nowakowski:

“Environmental groups today oppose everything except industrial-scale renewables, even when it destroys the nature they claim to protect. It’s time to return to true conservation principles and achievable solutions.”

Aidan Morrison:

“The current energy plan and renewable energy targets haven’t been determined by science or expert analysis… it’s been determined politicians, and re-branded by institutions such as AEMO to make it appear as though it’s from the experts. The current plan will be unreliable, and economically and environmentally disastrous.” 

Full Text of the Open Letter

Media Contact:

For media inquiries / interviews please contact:

•       Dick Smith, Australian Inventor – (02) 9450 0600

•       Steven Nowakowski, Conservationist – 0402 810 411

•       Aidan Morrison, Energy Analyst – 0400 091 770

•       Dr Adi Paterson, Former CEO of ANSTO – 0400 202 407

Kind regards

Steven Nowakowski, Conservationist

Rainforest Reserves Australia