Nuclear should be considered: Finkel

Nuclear power should absolutely be considered if Australia wants to contribute to a zero emissions future, new Chief Scientist Alan Finkel believes.

Australia's newly-appointed chief scientist Alan Finkel believes nuclear power should be considered. (AAP)

Newly-appointed chief scientist Alan Finkel believes nuclear power should be "absolutely considered" to ensure future energy generation with zero emissions.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the new appointment on Tuesday, agreeing that nuclear power was low emissions but warning it's "hugely expensive" to construct and has other environmental issues.

Dr Finkel, who has previously spruiked the benefits of nuclear power, told reporters in Canberra solar and wind energy could be "massively viable" with the right storage technology but nuclear should also be considered.