THE Territory has "cleaner, cheaper and greener" energy solutions than nuclear power, the Environment Centre said.

Centre co-ordinator Stuart Blanch said the suggestion by Alice Springs town councillor Murray Stewart a nuclear power station be built in Darwin or Katherine was "ridiculous". He said the real issue was to develop renewable energy supplies that were as inexpensive as gas.

"The Top End has enormous reserves of solar thermal and geothermal power just waiting to be proven up and harnessed to power Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine," Mr Blanch said.

"Nuclear power remains highly contested in the Australian community.

"Unresolved issues include the long term management of radioactive waste, inadequate safeguards to prevent Australian uranium being used to build nuclear bombs, and the potential for catastrophic accidents and contamination."