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The New South Wales government has launched a new $5 million grant program designed to support community energy groups and not-for-profit organisations to help the state’s households get off gas, go solar and cut energy use.
The Minns Labor government’s Community Energy Activation Program will provide grants of up to $600,000 to eligible organisations, such as Electrify 2515, Hawkesbury Environment Network, Re-Alliance, Renew Australia and Rewiring Australia. State energy minister Penny Sharpe says the aim of the new grants scheme is to tap into trusted local networks that can bridge the gap for consumers by connecting them with energy information and a range of government programs.
“We know households want more support from trusted sources to make the switch to smarter, more efficient energy solutions that lower household bills,” said Sharpe in a statement last week.
“These groups help energy users in a meaningful way, often with only volunteers, so this funding will create more opportunities for households to get free, credible guidance to reap the benefits of renewable energy.”
Funding will support activities like community education workshops, face-to-face sessions, adapting and delivering existing energy education initiatives to a wider audience and development of digital tools or resources that help consumers find energy solutions.
Paul Scully, the local state MP for Wollongong, says he sees the program building on the early planning for the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) which aims to increase the capacity of groups to help residents and play a stronger role in the zone.
“The Illawarra is at the centre of NSW’s clean industrial future and this program will help the community further embrace renewable energy and prepare to be home to the state’s first urban renewable energy zone,” said Scully.
“Crucially it will help to better inform everyone in the Illawarra from community groups to businesses and individual households on renewables so we can all work together to lead the way for renewable energy generation in urban areas.”
Applications are now open for community energy groups and not-for-profit organisations that support New South Wales household energy consumers and will close at 5pm on Monday 16 February 2026.
Interested groups looking for more information should visit this link, where information is also available for an online webinar to be held at 11am on Tuesday December 9.
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