A pioneering community-led energy pilot is expanding its reach across the Illawarra region in New South Wales, offering a glimpse into a decarbonised future where households trade gas for high-efficiency electric alternatives to slash annual utility bills.
The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot, launched in late 2024, has already seen over 100 households across suburbs including Austinmer and Thirroul transition to electric living. Due to overwhelming demand and the success of the federal Cheaper Home Batteries Program, the initiative is now expanding into the neighbouring suburb of Bulli.
The project facilitates the installation of subsidised heat pump hot water systems, induction cooktops, and reverse-cycle air conditioning. By integrating these with smart energy management devices, residents are seeing immediate financial relief.
According to Treasury modelling, the average Australian household can save approximately AU$900 a year by moving away from gas. When paired with rooftop solar and battery storage, those savings can skyrocket to AU$3,100 per annum.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, praised the momentum, noting that more than half of Australia’s electricity in the final quarter of 2025 was generated from renewable sources.
“Community-led pilots like this highlight how industry and government can work together to reduce bills and cut emissions,” Bowen said.
“We’ve seen tremendous uptake within the 2515 postcode throughout the pilot so far with households signing up when they see how their neighbours are making the switch to lower bills, cleaner power and reduced pressure on our electricity system.”
Funded by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), the trial is set to run until September 2027.
Researchers are using the data to understand the impact of mass electrification on local substations, providing a vital blueprint for how Australia and potentially the world, can manage the transition to a smarter, more resilient electricity grid.
Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes, said: “The Illawarra has proven that we want to be a renewable energy powerhouse, and I am so pleased to be supporting the highly successful Electrify 2515 pilot to expand into Bulli.
“This program is empowering hundreds of local people to bring down their power bills, secure their electricity supply and make a real contribution to a cleaner energy future – something our community has enthusiastically embraced.”
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