Finkel review: renewable energy to face new security and reliability regulations

Sector will have to ensure around the clock supply as chief scientist also demands three years' notice over station closures

New security and reliability obligations will be imposed on power generators, and ageing plants will have to provide regulators with three years' notice before they close, according to sweeping reforms proposed by Australia's chief scientist.

In a briefing for state energy ministers on Thursday afternoon, ahead of the release of his final report to the Council of Australian Governments on Friday, Alan Finkel outlined the new regulatory regime and signalled he would recommend a new emissions reduction mechanism, to be called the clean energy target.