Ah yes, nuclear energy — the political third rail that’s suddenly back in fashion as Australia heads into a federal election. The mere mention of it used to send politicians ducking for cover, but now, with AI, data centres, climate concerns, and an insatiable global appetite for energy, the conversation is impossible to ignore.

But let’s not fool ourselves — this is not just about keeping the lights on. This is about global security, international power dynamics, and the geopolitical tug-of-war over energy dominance. (Disclaimer, I am in this article not for or against. It is more about a current problem we have and a so called element on the periodic table, essential to everything in life, that has been forgotten).

And yet, in all this noise, one major player has been left behind: hydrogen — the so-called “fuel of the future” that has seemingly disappeared or hidden from the news feeds while nuclear hogs the spotlight. So what happened, and why does this matter beyond Australia’s borders?

Energy Is the New Arms Race

If the last few years have taught us anything, it’s that energy security is national security. Wars aren’t just fought with tanks and missiles anymore — they’re fought with semiconductor shortages, cyberattacks on power grids, and strategic energy dependence.

AI and emerging technologies are energy gluttons. Training one large AI model can burn through as much electricity as 100,000 households in a year. Data centres worldwide are competing with entire nations for power consumption. In this kind of world, energy isn’t just an infrastructure issue — it’s a strategic weapon.

For Australia, sticking to outdated energy strategies isn’t just bad economics, it’s a national security blind spot.

• Nations that control their energy supply will control the future. If Australia doesn’t take a leadership role in advanced energy technologies, it risks being at the mercy of those who do.
• China, Russia, and the U.S. are already way ahead. Nuclear and hydrogen are both part of their long-term strategies. What’s ours?
• Tech sovereignty depends on energy sovereignty. If we want to be a serious global player in AI, cybersecurity, and defence technology, we need power security first.

Nuclear Is the Flashy Distraction — But What About Hydrogen?

The nuclear debate has become a political football, with different sides either championing it as a climate saviour or warning about long build times, costs, and waste concerns.

But while nuclear gets all the PR buzz, hydrogen — the quiet underdog — has been all but forgotten. Just a few years ago, hydrogen was the golden child, with global investment pouring in. Now? Crickets.

Why?

• Infrastructure hesitancy. Unlike nuclear, hydrogen doesn’t require 20 years to build a plant — but it does require serious investment in production, transport, and storage.
• Lack of political vision. Instead of taking leadership, Australia has let hydrogen become someone else’s problem — watching from the sidelines as other nations race ahead.
• Short-term thinking. We’re obsessing over one silver bullet (nuclear), when the answer is diversity — nuclear, hydrogen, renewables, and storage all working together.

And you know the funny thing. Clean hydrogen can be produced with minimal emissions using methane. Basically from effluent sources and we have a non stop and unlimited supply of that.

What’s Next? A Global Perspective

The world is splitting into energy haves and have-nots. Australia sits on the fence, undecided and unprepared, while the global energy superpowers dictate the next century of geopolitical influence.

So, what do we do?

• Stop waiting for a “perfect” solution. We need a hybrid energy strategy that includes nuclear, hydrogen, renewables, and advanced storage solutions.
• Understand energy as a strategic asset. This isn’t just about domestic power grids — this is about national security, economic power, and global leadership.
• Invest in emerging energy tech. Hydrogen isn’t dead — but it needs policy commitment and industry backing to scale properly. Furthermore, It doesn’t have to be the only source, it could be the next stepping stone to a solution for a larger problem space.
• Work with allies, not against them. The U.S., Japan, and the EU are all betting big on next-gen energy. Where does Australia fit into this equation?
• Secure Australia’s own energy future. The days of being a “dig it up, ship it out” energy exporter are numbered. If we don’t lead in energy tech, we will be left behind.

Will Australia Lead or Follow?

The world is at a turning point. Cybersecurity, AI, global tensions, and energy security are colliding in ways we’ve never seen before. There is discussion that the AI and semiconductor technology is the next arms race but we believe it bigger than that. Energy. After all, we need the energy to fun all these wonderful things.

If Australia doesn’t take decisive action on energy independence now, we won’t just be playing catch-up — we’ll be handing over control of our future to those who planned ahead.

So, will we shape the energy landscape, or will we just react to it?

What do you think? Is nuclear the way forward? Is hydrogen still in the game? Or are we just watching another geopolitical power play unfold in real time? And be nice!!