The Australian Energy Market Operator has published two reports on Thursday stating the supply from existing and committed gas developments will meet demand until 2023 in southern and south-eastern parts of the nation.

But an overall gas supply shortfall is forecast to bite in 2024, without long-term solutions.

"Southern Australia's overall supply-demand balance for 2021-2023 remains very finely balanced, reflecting the ever-tightening integration of Australia's electricity and gas markets in the context of an evolving and dynamic energy system," AEMO's chief system design and engineering officer Alex Wonhas said.

"In Victoria, the continued reduction in gas production resulting from depleting reserves in offshore gas fields translates to a reduction in gas exports from Victoria to New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania."

The development of existing reserves, more pipeline capacity from Queensland, or extra investment in alternative infrastructure development such as gas storage and liquefied natural gas import terminals, have been flagged as longer-term responses.

A short-term reduction in the demand for gas-powered production of electricity is expected while unforeseen weather-related consumption events may increase the need, Dr Wonhas said.

In the worst case scenario, the shortage could start earlier from mid-2023.

"... forecasting that from winter 2023, supply of gas from Victoria for South Australia and New South Wales could be limited if a high demand winter day coincides with a significant amount of unplanned thermal generator outages," Dr Wonhas states.

The Victorian Labor government in 2018 expanded the scope of offshore gas exploration to underpin the state's long-term supply of gas to homes and businesses.

Australian Associated Press