The value of prized power assets may be hit and harder to sell after the government introduced new foreign ownership restrictions on the electricity sector.

The new rules will allow the government to "actively manage the level of ownership and control from investors in a single asset or within a sector," the Treasury said.

"Each case will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, taking into account a range of factors such as the cumulative level of ownership within a sector, the need for diversity of ownership and the asset’s critical importance."

These latest restrictions could deter future foreign owners because of possible government intervention.

Grattan Institute energy director Tony Wood said with fewer buyers values could fall.