Low wind power generation amid an east coast cold snap is threatening to create a gas shortfall, exposing the effect of years of restrictions on new supply and jeopardising the Coalition’s ambitions to transition to nuclear power.

The Australian Energy Market Operator says the threat of gas supplies running short extends from NSW to Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and the ACT and could last until September. The intervention has sparked acrimony from producers and gas users, who say it is “very frustrating” that repeated supply warnings have been ignored.