What no one takes into account is that global peak coal will happen
before 2025.
For many years it was thought there were hundreds of years of coal
still available. However recent surveys have discovered that these
figures which were up to 50 years or more old were just wrong.

There is one study by a Texas University group that has
produced a paper that states peak coal (might be US peak) will occur
in 2011.
The problem is quality not quantity as they say.
All the easy coal has been dug out and the world is now into deeper
and smaller more expensive seams.
The better quality coal was the first to be mined as expected.
The question for Australia is should be hold off on export until we
have an idea whether an alternative to coal will be available in time.
This is the same question as for natural gas.

We can sell coal and use the money to build nuclear power stations.
How long will that take ? What rate should we export coal so that
our coal becomes too expensive just as we get nukes up and running ?

These are the questions I would hope our government would be studying
now. Unfortunately I don't think they would even understand the
question let alone think of the question.

"you must be green to be so divorced from reality. To make the statements you have I would guess you have no experience in power generation".
SM and what makes you an expert on power generation. I see from your posts on this forum you appear to be an expert on many subjects power just being one of them. When one is anonymous one can be an expert on any subject. Yes I am a member of The Greens and I make no secret of that as my post clearly indicate, I am no expert on power generation but I have my views on the subject. You must be a member or supporter of the Conservative Party (Liberal), those given the divine right to rule., experts on everything, unfortunately their record doesn't stand up, nuclear power is no exception.

I am a supporter of the liberal party in the absence of any viable alternative.

I am also an electrical engineer who has worked in power generation and distribution in senior level for more than a decade, and you will see that I have never claimed anything else.

The greens believe in renewable power like a religion, blissfully believing if they just do enough of it it will be all right. Here is a little problem you can consider. The peak power consumption is at about 7-8pm. What renewable power generation will supply our needs, given that there is a significant number of evenings where wind generation nationally would be low and solar is obviously not at peak?

P.S. Please try not to quote unproven and costly technologies such as geothermal and hot salt storage.

Its been interesting to sit back and watch the verbal jousting between Shadow Minister, Paul 1405 and others since I first posted "O'Farrell on Energy" a few days ago. The last post by Shadow Minister demonstrates his refusal to acknowledge other alternatives to power generation and his rudeness to others who challenge his opinions. If these are the hallmarks of the Liberal Party as often so aptly demonstarted by Tony Abbott, they will not get my vote on election day. To return to the question I asked (by email) Barry O'Farrell on 26 January 2011, "If elected will you privatise the electricity industry either partially or fully."
Now Shadow Minister, please resist answering this post for the Leader of YOUR Party.

Taurus you will make no ground with SM, I note my words must have cut you deeply, because of content you never mentioned the one eyed views the bloke puts on me.
I see a little of that in you, and a little of the younger me.
Make NO mistake,I too about this far in to a campaign would be as active and hopeful as you.
I will be again.
And standing in rain or hail 6 till 6 with HTV.
Being told by some Earnest young lady five years away from running for her seat, you must not say good day mate to every one.
I dislike almost everything SM says.
Put no value on his WIL ROBINSON [LOST IN SPACE] views miss placed self opinion.
But if, and I think it is true,you came here because of the ALP speak to your Friends policy, learn this.
I AM WRECKED because we are gone.
RUINED because it will bring so much pain.
But my Friend hear the voices of our party our true believers, me and hopefully you.
We gave up the right to rule in a state that was ours.
Shadow Minister is no target,his out pourings are not worth a reply.
But if my party is to learn any thing it MUST LEARN WE DO NOT NEED TO SLANDER THE OTHER SIDE.
Leave that too the conservatives attack dogs ,and face our failure, reward my party for the many knives in the back of its loyal supporters? VOTE GREEN.

Taurus,

I don't think there was any danger of the liberal party getting your vote.

I do acknowledge other sources of power generation. However, until such time as there is a viable base load alternative, renewables can at best be complementary, making up at most 40% of total generation.

While we are still a long way from this, if any progress is to be made on emissions reductions beyond 2020, a viable alternative to coal has to be found. As yet nuclear power is the only existing large scale technology that can meet our needs.

What my one eyed mate Belly misses with his burbling, is that power prices are set to escalate dramatically, and not only will that be pinned on the Labor party, but will sink the carbon tax in 2012 unless carefully managed.