Warning of future blackouts as politics rules energy debate

Victoria and NSW have been warned they could follow South Australia in being hit by electricity blackouts in years ahead unless Canberra comes up with a bipartisan national plan to deal with energy and climate change.

Economists say action on climate is vital, or say nothing at all

Economists are divided on whether Australia must become a low-carbon intensity economy.

'Clean coal' would push up power bills more than wind, solar or gas: analysts

"Clean coal" plants that the Turnbull government has flagged could get clean energy subsidies are more expensive than solar, wind and gas-fired power and would lead to higher electricity price rises, analysts have warned.

COAG agrees to tackle power bill price gouging, but not on how

State and federal energy ministers have agreed to steps promised to stop companies price gouging on electricity bills, but been blocked from going further by the NSW and Queensland governments.

What's really going wrong with electricity?

• COMMENT

The extreme weather conditions and 80,000 lightning strikes that thrust South Australia into darkness last week was extraordinary enough; the disingenuous debate it sparked about Australia's changing energy system has been something else again.

Tassie's battle to keep lights on

The Apple Isle is using a fleet of diesel gennies and cloud seeding to try and make it rain, but will this state run out of power?

Q&A;: Has Greg Hunt fixed climate change?

Environment Minister Greg Hunt has hailed the first round of "direct action", saying it has delivered Australia's largest emissions cut ever. Is it a plan for the next 50 years? Or is the future a little more complicated?