Consumers stung by costs of 'radical' energy transition

Consumers are paying the price for the nation's failure to meet energy needs, an inquiry has found. (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)

Consumers have been left in the dark and are carrying the rising costs under a failing approach to meeting Australia's energy needs, according to a senate inquiry.

"Everything gets sheeted back to energy consumers, not to the transmission companies, not to the generation companies, not to state or federal government," inquiry committee chair Senator David Van told AAP on Monday.