The head of gas producer and energy retailer Origin Energy says Australia should consider nuclear power.
Managing director Grant King acknowledges the safety worries raised by the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan, but says the controversial industry needs to be considered as an energy source.
"You've got to put it into context of 30, 40 or 50 years and what technology can do to continue to improve," he told reporters on Friday.
"Technology's a long journey and there are lots of situations where even driving a car's dangerous."
While Origin labels itself a market leader in green energy, Mr King said the solar and wind were yet to become a viable, large scale option.
"In terms of what we currently know, it is very difficult to see how the world will be entirely run on solar and wind by 2050," he said.
But he called on both sides of politics to reach an agreement on a renewable energy target to give certainty to energy producers.
Meanwhile, Mr King said he was accustomed to the volatility currently being experienced by energy producers because of plunging commodity prices.
Origin shares have tumbled 28 per cent since the end of August, hitting a two year low of $11.15 this week.
"What history tells us is that when prices of any commodity move, they tend to move dramatically. It's very difficult to call when," Mr King said.
"Whilst the movement can be rapid, so too can be the adjustment or the recovery, but again I can't tell you what the price will be in three months or six months time."
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