The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned critical gas supplies are running low, with fears a shortfall could extend to NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT.
In a public alert on Thursday, AEMO warned “recent gas supply and demand trends for the southern jurisdictions (NSW, ACT, VIC, SA and TAS) indicate there is the potential for gas supply shortfalls due to the depletion of southern storage inventories”.
“The supply of gas in all or part of the East Coast gas system may be inadequate to meet demand,” the warning notice said.
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today
According to the alert, the critical shortages could last until September 30.
On Friday, political reporter Ben Downie spoke about the shortages on Sunrise.
“There are no warnings for blackouts for households yet, but manufacturers could be forced into temporary shutdowns if they don’t find gas fast,” Downie said.
“(The shortage) is because of maintenance to an Exxon Mobil facility in Victoria, colliding with a cold snap.
“The warning arrived a day after (Opposition leader) Peter Dutton announced the coalition’s nuclear policy, which they will rely on (for the next election).
“It is (a) sensitive (topic) for the government, (who are) trying to deliver (on) its promise of lowering power bills.
“Energy Minister Chris Bowen says this is a warning about a potential risk. Australia’s energy market is working to get it under control ahead of time.”
Deputy Opposition leader Sussan Ley also mentioned the gas crisis, as she spoke on Sunrise about the coalition’s nuclear power policy.
“Australia is already a nuclear nation. We have a nuclear reactor at Lucas Heights, which underpins nuclear medicine that saves lives — we will have AUKUS submarines,” Ley said.
“Your headlines this morning on the gas crisis — it’s winter, it’s cold.
“People are choosing between heating and eating this winter. And meanwhile, this government’s energy policy is a trainwreck.
“What we need is to bring down the cost of energy to have cheap, affordable electricity to bring down emissions, to play our part globally. And to really generate manufacturing opportunities in this country.”
Education Minister Jason Clare hit back, claiming the coalition’s nuclear power policy isn’t serious.
“There is a report out today that says if Peter Dutton does this, electricity prices for everyone will go up by about a thousand bucks a year. Now, this is economic insanity,” Clare said.