The article omits the likelihood of steep gas price rises when Santos diverts Moomba gas to its LNG plant in Queensland. Some 52% of SA electricity comes from gas fired power stations and its flexibility enables backup for the 27% that comes from wind power. No large industry will replace Holden and the ASC as future power will be too expensive.

I spent the weekend in the company of some cashed up SA baby boomers and they like things just as they are. Not too much concern for the prospects of school leavers. Since SA has about a third of the world's easily mined uranium I think they should go large on the nuclear fuel cycle. That is not just mine uranium but enrich it and generate electricity to replace gas and export some power to the coal states Vic/NSW/Qld. If Adelaide people can overcome their misgivings commuting distance sites like Pt Stanvac should be considered. It would be a shot in the arm for SA which has few natural advantages left.

Taswegian, I'm far from convinced of the economic case for nuclear as although gas prices will be high in the short term, I expect them to fall in less time than we could build a nuclear power station in, as more countries increase production and Japan resumes nuclear power generation. Meanwhile the cost of solar continues to fall.

But if we do go for nuclear, Port Pirie's really the best place for it. Geologically well suited, lots of local support, and very little local opposition.

Aidan the problem with Pt Pirie and Pt Augusta for seawater cooled thermal plant is that both sites are at the top of a gulf with poor sea currents. That's despite the remaining coal plant at Pt Augusta and Alinta's proposal for a solar thermal plant.

I don't believe solar PV with batteries can scale up to become a baseload power source able to store many gigawatt hours of electricity. I also expect federal intervention on gas exports in a couple of years because the domestic price keeps rising.

No it's not the global economy, just planners stuck in the past, or think the only solutions are those that (take far more than they give) itinerant foreigners offer!

What we need is a complete turnaround in thinking, and a return to good old self reliance.

And it would help if we just learned to invest in our best people and their better ideas.

And where can't is really won't; it and those displaying their can't/won't do, need to be replaced with people with new and fresh ideas.

Doing what you've always done only ever gets you what you've always got! No ifs, buts or maybes!

What was possible in completely bankrupt, war torn and essentially destroyed Japan, is far more doable here.

All we need is some unifying concepts and all making a useful contribution; even those self made men, you know, those who hewed the log cabin they were born in, out of the wilderness; and with their own bare hands.

United we stand, divided we fall, let's stand together!
And wouldn't that make a pleasant change from all the argy bargy and ceaseless blame shifting!

It almost beggars belief, we have yet to try self terminating thirty year bonds, to create income earning infrastructure!
And given the infrastructure deficit, in spades!

And because that is so, around 1.6 trillion super funds, [ ours,] need to seek offshore solutions, rather than be put to work right here right now, when and where they're most needed!

One should ask, how much tax are they earning for us right now?
Or would 50% of something be worth more than the 100% of nothing those invested offshore, are earning for us right now?
How long are we going to keep missing that particular boat!?

Moreover, other nations super funds; and or, sovereign funds are also looking for long term safe (low tax) harbors!

Only prevented by parochial stick in the mud types, who just want to rule!

Think about that, or failing that, just think!

God bless the child that's got his own!
Rhrosty

What else can one expect from a tired old labor government. Stagnation debt, corruption. Same old story.

Taswegian, why don't you believe that Solar PV with batteries can scale up enough?

And are you sure the sea currents at Port Pirie are poor? The gulf's a lot wider there (and IIRC also much deeper) than it is at Port Augusta.

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Shadow, the problem is Liberal governments tend to be even worse. Similar problems to Labor, but with increased negativity (because they're more interested in blaming Labor for problems than solving them) and a greater irrational fear of debt (resulting in assets being sold for much less than they're worth).