Ben Fordham has grilled NSW Energy Minister Matt Kean as the state faces blackouts and soaring prices amid a worsening electricity crisis.

NSW households and hospitals were told to turn off non-essential appliances for several hours last night after generators failed to come online.

The Australian Energy Market Operator has taken control of the energy market across the east coast in a bid to secure power supply.

Mr Kean has denied he’s demonised the coal industry and rejects he’s played a part in the current crisis.

“I didn’t invade Ukraine, I didn’t make the generators old bits of equipment and I certainly didn’t make the weather cold,” he told Ben Fordham.

But Ben wants to know, “If you’re such a genius, why are we in this mess?”

Press PLAY below to hear the heated interview