PM battles to keep the lights on

BIG businesses with generators would be paid to be on standby to help stop devastating summer blackouts, under an urgent new blueprint that exposes Australia’s energy crisis.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is considering a new energy reserve plan after being handed a devastating report by the Australian Energy Market Operator, which warned it cannot guarantee supply over the next five years if planned power plant closures occur.

The operator also revealed there was not enough time to build a new coal-fired generator to meet expected shortfalls in reliable energy.

Mr Turnbull, who yesterday began talks with energy giant AGL to keep open a crucial coal power station, said he owed all Australians reliable electricity supplies.