New coal plants have a role in Australia's energy future, Josh Frydenberg says

Energy minister's comments on market intervention leave open the possibility of government support of coal-fired power

New high-efficiency low-emission (HELE) coal-fired power plants have a role in the energy mix and the government is prepared to intervene in the market, Josh Frydenberg has said.

The energy and environment minister told Sky News on Sunday that new coal plants "need to be considered" alongside other sources of baseload power, and the government could intervene if the market failed to deliver the "best possible outcomes" in the electricity market.