Vic smelter's future still uncertain

Talks to save a struggling aluminium smelter in regional Victoria remain ongoing.

The future of the Portland plant has been under a cloud for some time and it has been working at less than 30 per cent capacity since a power cut in December.

The Victorian and federal governments made an international bid to keep the smelter open when ministers flew to New York for talks with Alcoa's global chief executive.

"The discussions are ongoing and positive but I don't have any dates as to when we can expect a decision on Alcoa," acting Premier James Merlino told reporters on Wednesday.

An Alcoa spokesman said commercial discussions on a new power supply agreement are also ongoing.