A March 2025 electricity maps  study reveals that the 12 lowest emitters of CO2 all have predominantly hydroelectric, nuclear power or both. None have dominant solar and wind generation. South Australia at 13th on the list still relies on 23.2% fossil fuel. Other Australian states range from 60 to 70% fossil fuel. Storing renewable energy isn’t resolving intermittency limitations with battery and pumped hydro discharge only contributing 0 to 2.3%.

Mainland Australia is too dry and too flat to develop much beyond its current hydro-electricity resources. Nuclear power does offer a proven pathway to lower our emissions, but this will take a serious commitment by both sides of politics to drop entrenched prejudices, lift bans and commit to working together.