Households across NSW will get more help to cut their energy bills, access rebates and make energy-saving upgrades, with the Minns Labor Government investing $4.7 million in 12 community and not-for-profit energy organisations.
This funding will support trusted local organisations to provide practical advice and help households understand the options available to reduce their energy costs.
Through this investment, households and communities across NSW will benefit from a range of practical support including:
- Advice to help households cut energy bills and manage cost‑of‑living pressures
- Workshops and one‑on‑one support to improve energy literacy and confidence
- Guidance on home upgrades including energy‑efficient appliances, insulation, draught-proofing, rooftop solar and home batteries
- Help to access rebates, concessions and government energy saving programs
- Tailored support for renters, apartment residents and low-income households
- Training and resources to help local community organisations expand the support they provide.
The following organisations have been awarded funding through the Community Energy Activation Program:
- Asian Australians for Climate Solutions Ltd – Western Sydney
- Community Power Agency Co-Operative Limited – Statewide
- Cowra Information and Neighbourhood Centre Incorporated – Central West
- Electrify Bouddi Incorporated – Central Coast
- Energyze North Shore Inc – Northern Sydney
- Good Shepherd Australia New Zealand – Statewide
- Illawarra Multicultural Services Inc – Illawarra
- Owners Corporation Network of Australia Ltd – Inner West and Western Sydney, regional centres including Newcastle, Wollongong and Shellharbour
- Pingala Community Energy Incorporated – Hunter, Central Coast and Inner Sydney
- Repower Shoalhaven Incorporated – South Coast
- Rewiring Australia Research and Advocacy Limited – Statewide (based in Thirroul)
- Southern New England Landcare Ltd – New England
This funding will help these organisations reach more households, expand successful local programs and provide more people with trusted, practical support to make informed energy choices. It builds on the Minns Labor Government’s $2 million Inclusive Energy Outreach Grant, which is funding ten community-based organisations to deliver culturally appropriate energy education that improves energy literacy for vulnerable people and groups.
These programs are key actions under the NSW Consumer Energy Strategy, helping ensure all households can benefit from lower bills and cleaner, more efficient energy technologies.
For more information, visit: www.energy.nsw.gov.au/community-energy-activation-program.
Minister for Climate Change and Energy Penny Sharpe said:
“Households are looking for practical ways to bring down their energy bills, and this funding will help put trusted advice and support within easier reach.
“There are more options than ever to save energy and reduce costs, but people don’t always know where to start. These organisations can help them understand what is available, access rebates and support, and make changes that work for them.”
Rewiring Australia Director of Strategic Programs Kristen McDonald said:
“At Rewiring Australia, we hear from households every week who want to cut their energy bills and go electric but don’t know where to start.
“Support through this grant enables us to strengthen the capacity of 15 community groups across NSW to give people that missing piece: trusted, local advice that reaches and empowers more households.
“It’s exactly the kind of practical support that makes the switch to cheaper, cleaner energy faster and fairer for every NSW household.”
Pingala Community Energy Operations Manager Nigel Hancock said:
“Apartment residents are often locked out of clean energy benefits, as strata environments face far greater complexity and wider information gaps than other households.
“Armed with practical advice and expert guidance, we look forward to supporting more strata communities in unlocking opportunities for solar, batteries, and EV charging, giving residents better and more equitable access to the financial and environmental benefits that renewables provide.”
Electrify Bouddi Steering Committee Chair Mark Ellis said:
“This funding gives us the opportunity to scale up local, community-led action across the Central Coast, giving households access to trusted advice, practical resources and local expertise to make informed energy choices.
“The energy transition is exciting but many in the community are struggling to navigate their way through the many choices presented to them, which is where local energy groups like ours can play an important part.”
Repower Shoalhaven Chairman John Clark said:
“Receiving this grant will allow us to build on our work across the South Coast, helping more households to make informed decisions and take practical steps to reduce energy costs, switch to efficient electric technologies and play an active role in the region’s energy transition.”
