Energy rationing the answer for Tas: union

Unions have come up with a plan to avert Tasmania's energy crisis by financially rewarding users who can show they've reined in their drain on the grid.

With low dam levels impacting the state's hydro-electric scheme and a broken Bass Strait cable cutting off supply from the mainland, there have been concerns the island's lights might go out, and instead of the government's plan to bring in diesel generators, Unions Tasmania proposes energy rationing.

"Given the dire nature of the current energy crisis gripping the state, the government needs to urgently institute demand-side solutions to encourage Tasmanians to reduce power usage in order to conserve our energy reserves," the union said in a statement.