The federal government's National Energy Guarantee had no stronger supporter than Scott Morrison, his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull says.

Speaking at an event in Sydney on Tuesday, Mr Turnbull urged the Morrison government to "revive" the NEG which has been dumped as the coalition seeks an alternative plan.

"It was a vital piece of economic policy and had strong support - none stronger than that of the current prime minister and the current treasurer," Mr Turnbull said.

Mr Turnbull, who was ousted in August as climate sceptics in the party baulked at action on climate change, lamented there was a "huge gulf" between coalition MPs on energy policy.

"A significant percentage don't believe climate change is real and we should get out of Paris," he said.

"They are prepared to cross the floor, to blow up the government, in order to get their way."

However the coalition "insurgents" who torpedoed the NEG were in a "minority", he said.

"There's never been a national energy policy that has had more universal support than the NEG," Mr Turnbull said.

"And like Julie Bishop and many others, I would encourage - at the risk of being criticised for speaking about politics which apparently former prime ministers aren't allowed to do according to some of the media - my colleagues to work together to revive the NEG."

He said without the policy Australia would end up with "higher emissions and higher energy prices".

However, he said the government had made considerable efforts in dealing with electricity prices and providing greater reliability including the ACCC inquiry into retail prices, the plan to underwrite "firm" power generation, acting on a review by the chief scientist, doing a deal with energy retailers and abolishing the limited merits review.