NSW Grants Program Supports Community Groups to Reduce Electricity Bills
The New South Wales government has unveiled a new grant initiative worth $5 million aimed at assisting community energy groups and non-profit organisations to help households transition away from gas, adopt solar energy, and reduce overall energy consumption.
The Minns Labor government’s Community Energy Activation Program is set to offer grants of up to $600,000 to qualifying organisations, including Electrify 2515, Hawkesbury Environment Network, Re-Alliance, Renew Australia, and Rewiring Australia. State energy minister Penny Sharpe highlighted that the new grants scheme is geared towards leveraging reliable local networks that can connect consumers with essential energy information and various government programs.
Support for Households Making the Switch
“We understand that households are seeking more assistance from trusted sources to transition to smarter, more efficient energy solutions that can help lower their bills,” Sharpe remarked in a statement last week.
“These organisations provide crucial support to energy users, often relying on volunteers, and this funding will expand opportunities for households to receive free, credible advice on leveraging the benefits of renewable energy.”
Funding to Foster Community Engagement
The funding will facilitate various initiatives such as community education workshops, in-person sessions, and the adaptation and delivery of existing energy education programmes to reach broader audiences. It will also support the creation of digital tools and resources designed to assist consumers in locating suitable energy solutions.
Paul Scully, the local state MP for Wollongong, emphasised that this program builds upon the initial planning for the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), which is focused on enhancing the capacity of community groups to assist residents and play a pivotal role within the zone.
“The Illawarra stands at the heart of New South Wales’s clean industrial future, and this program will further encourage the community to embrace renewable energy while preparing to host the state’s first urban renewable energy zone,” Scully stated.
“Importantly, it will ensure that everyone in the Illawarra, from community groups to local businesses and individual households, is well-informed about renewable energy, enabling us to collaborate and take the lead in urban renewable energy generation.”
How to Apply
Applications are currently open for community energy groups and not-for-profit organisations that support energy consumers in New South Wales and will close at 5pm on Monday, 16 February 2026.
Interested parties seeking additional information can find it through this link, which includes details about an online webinar scheduled for 11am on Tuesday, December 9.
