A Community Energy Activation Program will ultimately help households adopt renewable technologies. Photo: Envato Elements.
Households across the Illawarra will soon have more support to reduce energy bills and embrace cleaner energy, with the State Government announcing a $5 million Community Energy Activation Program.
Community energy groups and not-for-profit organisations across NSW can apply for grants up to $600,000 to scale up their work helping households adopt renewable technologies, access incentives and rebates, improve energy efficiency and navigate the transition to cleaner, smarter energy solutions.
Funded projects could include community education workshops, one-on-one energy guidance, adapting existing programs for wider audiences, creating digital tools, staffing local advisory roles and developing marketing or communication campaigns to reach more households. Other innovative projects addressing local energy needs will also be considered.
Professor Ty Christopher, Director of Energy Futures Network at the University of Wollongong’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, said this kind of support could supercharge what Illawarra community groups had already been building in the region.
“One thing we’ve seen here in the Illawarra is a terrifically positive group of grassroots organisations such as Electrify 2515, Hi Neighbour and Good for the Gong to increase energy literacy in the community,” he said.
“These community-driven efforts are incredible, but there comes a time, if all this good work is for the benefit of the public, that the government charged with serving that public should help things along. This funding will help with just that.
“Pardon the pun, but more power to them, as they support these community activation efforts not just to kick off, but to build and maintain momentum.”
The program forms part of the NSW Government’s Consumer Energy Strategy, which aims to put households and small businesses at the centre of the state’s clean energy transition.
It also supports early planning for the Illawarra Renewable Energy Zone (REZ), enhancing the capacity of local groups to help residents integrate technologies such as rooftop solar, batteries, energy-efficient appliances and home electrification into the region’s evolving energy system.
Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said the program would position the Illawarra at the forefront of NSW’s clean energy future.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
It comes as the Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Grids Training Centre at the University of Wollongong (UOW) prepares to host the IEEE International Conference on Energy Technologies for Future Grids (ETFG 2025) next month, bringing together global experts to explore the future of clean, reliable and resilient energy systems.
The conference will welcome researchers, policymakers and industry leaders from Australia and around the world to address the challenges and opportunities in transforming Australia’s electricity networks.
Conference General Chair and ARC Future Grids Training Centre Director Distinguished Professor Kashem Muttaqi said the event aligned with Australia’s push to modernise electricity networks and achieve a net-zero future.
“ETFG 2025 will be a pivotal opportunity to bring together research excellence, industry innovation, and policy leadership to shape a sustainable energy future,” he said. “Collaboration across these sectors is key to achieving reliable, secure, and affordable grids for generations to come.”
Applications for the NSW Energy Community Energy Activation Program grants are open and will close at 5 pm on Monday 16 February 2026. Community groups and not-for-profits assisting NSW households are encouraged to apply. An information webinar will be held at 11 am on Tuesday 9 December.
