Federal and Victorian energy ministers have declared confidence in the Australian Energy Market Operator to keep the lights on this summer as it commissions companies to provide an extra 118 megawatts in South Australia and 120 megawatts in Victoria to boost supply before the return of an El Nino weather system.

Amid expert warnings that the electricity grid will struggle to cope with the return of a hot, dry summer, AEMO confirmed it would update its summer readiness plan before it is released next month.