The Australian Energy Market Operator has ordered two gas-fired power plants owned by Snowy Hydro in Victoria to shut down in a bid to keep the gas supply operating safely and securely at the correct pressure for customers.

The order, which lasts until October 1 and represents a further worsening of the energy crisis hitting the eastern states, came as Queensland’s three LNG exporters scrambled to meet a request from the AEMO on Wednesday to send more gas south to avoid shortages in power generation.