Nationals MPs including Member for Dubbo Troy Grant were asked to vote on the proposed sale of just under half of the state's power resources. They voted to accept the sale, but are expected to push for Essential Energy, the largest regional provider of electricity, to be excluded from the sale.

The government is estimating almost $20 billion will be raised from the sale and in a bid to win over a sceptical public, the majority will go to infrastructure projects. Approximately $6 billion will go to regional projects, including roads and water funds worth $1 billion each.

However the big concern is the sell-off will drive up the price of power, and potentially cost jobs, especially in rural areas.

Unions and the opposition are vigorously opposed to the sale and the public has also been vocal.

Even members of the government have voiced their concern about the deal.

While the Liberal Party meeting was straightforward, there was much more division in the Nationals ranks.

Orange MP Andrew Gee had already expressed his dislike for the proposal and said nothing in yesterday's meeting changes his mind.

"I went into the meeting opposing any privatisation of the poles and wires and that didn't change throughout the course of the National Party's lengthy deliberations," he said.

"I argued as hard as I could for that position but it didn't carry the day and ultimately the party has made a decision. Essential Energy has effectively been quarantined so that is at least a positive."

Mr Grant was unavailable for comment before deadline because of cabinet commitments and it is unclear which way he voted.

While the sale will give the government a substantial lump sum to play with, opposition leader John Robertson said the loss of annual dividends will hurt in the long term.

"All the investment returns that are made by the government go towards paying teachers, nurses, police, firefighters and other frontline services," Mr Robertson said.

"This is not a magic pudding - you can't sell an asset that delivers an income ... and not have an impact on frontline services."

Organisation Stop the Selloff has criticised the sale and said it will have a negative impact on both regional and city residents.

"If power privatisation is good for consumers, why did National Party MPs try to protect their own patch by blocking the sale of Essential Energy," Stop the Selloff campaign manager Adam Kerslake said.

"If a power sale is bad for the bush - with communities facing higher prices, lower services and a loss of jobs - then it must be bad for the city too.

"This vote confirms that when it comes to the impact on regional NSW, even Coalition MPs don't believe the Premier's spin.