Energy Minister Chris Bowen says NSW now has enough power supplies to get through Wednesday afternoon without blackouts after the grid operator warned a heatwave and broken-down coal power plants meant the state’s electricity network would be stretched.

In a fiery start to question time moments ago, Coalition energy spokesman Ted O’Brien asked if Sydneysiders being told to turn off their washing machines and dishwashers was part of Labor’s plan to become a renewable energy “powerhouse”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton sledged Bowen across the chamber as the minister answered, calling him “a disaster” and “a train wreck” after O’Brien said the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) was “scrambling” to make sure Sydney avoided blackouts today.

In his response, Bowen said an AEMO warning issued earlier today – which allowed the regulator to begin negotiations with large power users to curb their demand – meant a heightened risk of electricity blackouts for NSW from 3.30pm to 5pm had now been reduced.

Loading

“As a result of the lack of reserve notice that AEMO has issued, I’m advised they have secured extra supplies,” Bowen said.

“AEMO has advised me that there are enough reserves for New South Wales this afternoon. Of course, they are taking necessary precautions in case there is another unexpected outage of a coal-fired unit, which is always a risk.”

Bowen said batteries would help keep NSW powered throughout today’s heat.

“It would be disingenuous and dishonest to blame renewables when you have five units out – four of them coal, two of them breakdowns – when you consider we have not had a day in the last 18 months where there hasn’t been a breakdown in a coal-fired power unit across the national energy market,” Bowen said.