Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor has poured cold water on calls to partially lift Australia's moratorium on nuclear power to allow investigation of emerging technologies.

A Coalition-dominated parliamentary inquiry found next-generation technologies such as small modular reactors should be explored by experts for use in Australia.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the government had "no plans" to lift the nuclear moratorium, which has been maintained by Labor and Coalition governments since 1998. Credit:Getty

"If we're serious about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, we can't simply ignore this zero-emissions baseload technology," committee chairman and LNP MP Ted O'Brien said. "Australia should say a definite 'no' to old nuclear technologies but a conditional 'yes' to new and emerging technologies such as small modular reactors."

But Mr Taylor said the government had "no plans" to lift the moratorium, which has been maintained by Labor and Coalition governments since 1998. "Any changes to the moratorium would need bipartisan support and broad community acceptance," he said.