More than 90 per cent of households surveyed in remote Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory had their electricity disconnected over a 12-month period, according to a new study investigating the link between the problem and extreme temperatures.

The study, led by the Australian National University and published in Nature Energy, looked at data from 3300 homes in 28 communities.

Among them, 91 per cent had their power disconnected at least once, and 74 per cent had their power disconnected more than 10 times in the 2018-19 financial year.

The homes ran on pre-paid electricity meters and were disconnected when credit ran out. Researchers said the practice puts disadvantaged people at risk. The study found most of the communities were unregulated by the Australian Energy Regulator.

“In other parts of Australia where consumers are protected by the Australian Energy Regulator guidelines, people cannot be disconnected from electricity when life support medical equipment is being used,” the study found.

“This protection is not comprehensively applied in remote NT communities.”

It also found a link between extreme temperatures and the chances of a home having its power disconnected, leaving researchers concerned Indigenous communities are already feeling the brunt of climate change.

“Disconnections increase from an already high baseline of one in 17 during mild temperatures (20–25 degrees), to a one in 11 chance of disconnection during hot days (34–40 degrees) and a one in six chance during cold days (0–10 degrees),” the study said.

Study co-author, Simon Quilty from ANU’s College of Health and Medicine, said he was concerned for people who may be living in poverty.