No new coal power under Lib energy policy, Ley says

Since announcing the Liberal party's new policy last week, Ms Ley and her energy spokesman Dan Tehan have left the door open to subsidising new coal generators.

But in fresh remarks, Ms Ley says while the plan could support new coal power stations "in theory," it would be highly unlikely in practice unless they stack up financially.

"We won't be building coal-fired power stations and there are no proposals for new coal," she told the ABC's 7.30 program.

Ms Ley did argue more government funding would likely be needed to extend the life of the nation's current fleet of ageing coal power stations, and also wants to bring more gas supply online.

A coalition government would also lift the national moratorium on nuclear power and pursue investments in technology, including carbon capture and storage, solar uptake, biofuels and low emissions metals.

Griffith University energy systems expert and member of the pro-renewables Climate Council Joel Gilmore said the plan was fundamentally flawed.

"There's great wishful thinking that we could go back to the good old days, but just like you can't buy lollies for one cent at the corner store, you can't buy coal for rock-bottom prices," he said.

"It just doesn't exist anymore."

If renewable energy technology had not already been built, electricity prices would be 30 to 50 per cent higher than what they already were, Dr Gilmore said.

"Russia's invasion of Ukraine has driven a massive increase in electricity cost over the last few years, not renewables," he said.

The cheapest form of energy was wind and solar backed by storage, Dr Gilmore said, adding nuclear power was only an important technology for nations with no space or renewable resources.

"Australia has the best wind and solar resources. We have to lean into our competitive advantage," he said.

Abandoning net-zero would also steer away investors, he added.

"If we don't have that policy certainty, then investors are going to go elsewhere," Dr Gilmore said.