The Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) said yesterday there is a risk that there might not be enough gas supply to meet demand until the end of September in NSW, Victoria, South Australia, the ACT and Tasmania.
One of the reasons for the potential shortfall is significant production constraints at the Langford Gas Plant, where offshore maintenance is due to continue until at least the start of July.
But also contributing to the problem is high demand for gas as the east coast shivers through a frigid cold snap.
That is being compounded by lower-than-expected wind power supply, which in turn has increased demand for gas.
Speaking to the ABC this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said more gas production was needed to meet the shortfall.
“We’ll work through those issues with AEMO… we need more gas supply,” he said.
Australia currently exports the vast majority of its natural gas, with about 75 per cent going overseas, according to the latest government figures released last September.