AGL chief executive Brett Redman says more than 10,000 customers have asked for their energy bills to be delayed as part of its COVID-19 support program, and predicts more pain to come, as he works from home to keep the lights on.

Analysts expect the $11 billion electricity generator and retailer to emerge relatively unscathed from the shutdown but the CEO's greatest concern is whether its 3.7 million customers will be able to pay their bills, as home costs skyrocket while business and public energy costs fall.