The CEPU has raised deep concerns with Federal Energy Minister Martin Ferguson's embrace of nuclear energy and power privatisation in the Commonwealth Government energy white paper.

CEPU National Secretary, Peter Tighe, said the Minister's response to the paper would be regretted by future generations if he was allowed to proceed with sell offs and the construction of nuclear power plants.

"We've seen from international examples like Enron that when you privatise a natural monopoly like energy, consumers and workers lose out," Mr Tighe said.

"There's no compelling public interest case for hocking such a vital asset and Martin Ferguson needs to back away from this suggestion.

"The Minister cites the Victorian industry but fails to mention that since it went into private ownership, the new owners have not invested a single dollar in base load generation.

"On the key issues of prices, safety and reliability public ownership is the only option."

Mr Tighe said the Union was equally concerned with the Minister's rhetoric around nuclear power.

"One Fukushima disaster is one too many. Nuclear energy is expensive, dangerous and completely at odds with public expectations of safety. The Minister should be directing more resources and investment toward renewable energy."