5 December 2025
The Finocchiaro CLP Government is working to protect the Territory's power supply following the shutdown of ENI's Blacktip offshore gas field as Tropical Cyclone Fina approached the Top End last month.
This outage has continued since Tropical Cyclone Fina and places significant pressure on the Territory's already stretched gas supply, given Blacktip has been the NT's primary source of gas since 2009.
Minister for Mining, Energy and Renewables Gerard Maley said Territorians expect honesty and transparency about the situation.
"Like every household, our power system relies on secure supply - and when a major gas field is taken offline, it has real consequences.
"We do not want to alarm Territorians, but we do want you to be informed: Blackouts are a possibility while these supply pressures continue. What Territorians also should know is that the Government is taking every possible step to keep the lights on."
INPEX has increased gas supply to help stabilise the system, and Power and Water are implementing multiple safeguards which are ready to activate to protect Territorians.
Minister Maley said the need for these contingency measures reflect years of neglect under the former government, which also puts pressure on the cost of power.
"Territorians voted for a government that takes action - not one that ignores the warnings," said Mr Maley.
"Territorians should understand that this is not a new problem, it's the consequence warnings that were ignored over years.
"Blacktip has been declining since 2021, and despite repeated warnings, the former government had no energy security plan in place. We inherited a system that was already on the brink."
The Minister said that while the government is doing everything possible to manage immediate pressures, the situation reinforces why the Beetaloo Sub-Basin is essential to the Territory's long-term energy security.
The Beetaloo holds enough gas to power Australia for 200 years, and development is now moving at pace as Beetaloo Energy advances approvals to enable appraisal gas sales which will feed directly into the Territory's energy system.
The Sturt Plateau Pipeline is under construction to deliver the first stage of gas to market, Santos has announced plans to drill 12 wells, and Tamboran is working towards supplying Territory gas by mid-2026.
"If we want affordable electricity, if we want investment, if we want reliable power for our homes, hospitals and businesses well into the future, then we need the Beetaloo."
The current situation also highlights why the government passed major electricity market reforms in October. These reforms deliver smarter planning, tougher governance and future-proofed infrastructure, so energy - from gas, solar and batteries - stays reliable, stable and low-cost for Territorians.
"The CLP Government is being upfront, we are preparing for all scenarios, and we are doing everything possible to protect the Territory's power supply now and into the future," added Mr Maley.
