Angus Taylor in pre-election move to make coal plants give five years’ notice before closing

Angus Taylor has written to the Australian Electricity Market Commission asking it to extend the notice period for generators to shut from 3.5 to five years. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP

Owners of ageing coal-fired power plants would be required to give at least five years’ notice before shutting under a last-minute rule change proposed by Angus Taylor shortly before the federal election is expected to be called.

Taylor, the energy and emissions reduction minister, said on Thursday he had written to the Australian Electricity Market Commission asking it to extend the notice period for generators to shut from 3.5 to five years to “safeguard the delivery of affordable, reliable power for consumers”.