Senator Matt Canavan has deemed the energy crisis a “national disgrace” as Aussies are left facing a winter of blackouts.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has warned power outages could occur in the coming days if demand outstrips what is being generated.

Residents in Queensland and NSW have been asked to conserve power.

Mr Canavan told Ray Hadley Australia needs to “stop chasing more pie in the sky solutions” and return to coal-based power.

“We need to eat some humble pie and get back to what works, which is building things like coal-fired power stations, gas-fired power stations.

“We’re not going to blow the planet up by building a couple here in Australia.”

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