UPDATE: State-owned Essential Energy, which provides electricity for regional and rural NSW, will remain in public hands following a meeting by National Party MPs today.
Member for Coffs Harbour, Andrew Fraser said metropolitan poles and wires could still be sold off, however.
"From a positive point of view, the Nationals have managed to save Essential Energy," Mr Fraser said.
"Now it is up to the electorate to decide whether they approve of it (the plan to sell the rest of the state's energy networks)."
Premier Mike Baird and Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner are expected to make an announcement about the energy plan this afternoon.
Last week, Murrumbidgee MP Adrian Piccoli ruffled the feathers of his Coalition partners in the Liberal Party by rejecting any suggestion the poles and wires providing power to rural residents should be privatised.
Other MPs including Adam Marshall (Northern Tablelands) and Mr Fraser followed suit.
Mr Baird said the government's policy was not to sell the poles and wires without taking it to an election first.
''There is no change of policy,'' he said. ''I look forward to the discussions with our party rooms about this issue.''
A statement from Mr Stoner outlining his party's official stance on the subject is expected when the meeting finishes later today.
As NSW Treasurer, Mr Baird championed the sale of major publicly-owned infrastructure assets including ports Kembla and Newcastle and Delta Electricity’s Central Coast power stations.
Mr Fraser said the policy was more Liberal than National.
"At the last state conference (for the National Party) it was passed unanimously not to support this," Mr Fraser said.
"Across the board... we're as one."
- More to come
Roderick Makim
Senior journalist for The Land.
Senior journalist for The Land.
