SA minister 'punch drunk' about energy

The federal government has dismissed critics of its plan to look at high-efficiency, low-emission coal power plants to secure Australia's energy needs.

The government has dismissed critics of its plan to look at coal power plants for Australia's energy (AAP)

Federal energy minister Josh Frydenberg has hit back at his South Australian counterpart after being told Canberra's call to promote clean coal power generation is a 'fairytale'.

"I think Tom Koutsantonis is a bit punch drunk and wounded from what has happened in South Australia," Mr Frydenberg told Sky News on Friday, citing the state's power blackouts.

The federal government is looking at all options to secure affordable energy including subsidising new high-efficiency, low-emission coal power plants.

Mr Koutsantonis said clean coal was a myth being perpetrated by a prime minister clearly owned by the coal industry.

"Tom needs to get out a bit more and see what's happening in the region," Mr Frydenebrg said.

More than 700 high-efficiency power plants were operating in China, India and Japan, he said.

Mr Frydenberg insisted they reduced carbon pollution by up to 40 per cent on some of the older coal-fired plants according to Chief Scientist Alan Finkel.