A: Electrify Illawarra is a non-partisan, not-for-profit community group that want to accelerate the update of all-electric homes and business across the Illawarra to reduce energy bills and climate emissions.

We run community events, write media articles and advocate for more support for households to transition from gas appliances to all-electric appliances supported by rooftop solar, batteries and clean grid energy.

Unfortunately, no.

The Electrify 2515 Community Pilot is a specific project in the 2515 postcode, funded by ARENA (Australian Renewable Energy Agency).

We are working closely with Electrify 2515 and Rewiring Australia to show what’s possible and build the case for supporting every Australian home to electrify. In welcome news, the Australian Government has directed the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to consider funding for more community electrification projects across Australia.

In the meantime, there is information on rebates and offers that you may be eligible for.

We welcome support and engagement from anyone interested in electrification, energy policy, climate change and community development. Technology means there are many ways you can engage with us and support our objective, wherever you may be. We also welcome interest from people who may work or run a business in the Illawarra region but not live here.

You may also want to join the Electric Communities Network and/or find a group near where you live.

Yes, you can. We do not want cost to be a barrier to your participation and support for Electrify Illawarra, which is run entirely by volunteers. While we request a membership fee of $30, this is to cover the minimum costs of delivering on our objective and meeting our requirements as an incorporated association, including public liability insurance.

If circumstances improve for you, why not consider a donation?

A: Rewiring Australia was launched in 2021, founded by local / engineer / energy expert / The Big Switch & Plug In author, Dr. Saul Griffith. Rewiring Australia illustrates the positive climate and economic outcomes possible for Australia, and the world, with an ‘electrify everything’ strategy. They’re working with government agencies, business, industries, investors and other stakeholders to try and electrify all households in Australia.

A: We know the world is moving to electrified homes and transport - it’s cheaper and better for the environment. It’s going to be a big process that affects us all. We want to demonstrate the benefits of converting entire communities to fully electric appliances and vehicles now and help support more Australians along this necessary transition. We are proving the technological, social and economic viability of concentrated electrification so decision makers can learn and assist all Australians on the path to cost and energy efficient electrification.

A: An electrified household is one that captures its own electricity from the sun, perhaps stores that electricity in a battery and transitions all of its appliances and vehicles away from fossil fuels to electric. Practically, in the average Australian household there are 6 things that could be transitioned to electric - rooftop solar, a home battery, cooking, heating your home, hot water and an electric vehicle.

A: Currently Australian households spend an average of $7000 every year on their energy costs, that is on the electricity to power their homes and the fuels for their cars. Not only is most of our energy expensive, it is polluting. Collectively, Australia’s homes and small businesses/organisations make up a significant proportion of Australia’s domestic emissions. The good news is we have the technological solutions available today to electrify our homes and businesses and significantly reduce our national domestic emissions.

While helping to solve the climate crisis, we can also enjoy the myriad of benefits of having electrified communities, including:

- An electrified household will save on average $5000 per year on their energy and fuel costs

- Electrified households will reduce a range of health risks associated with gas cooking, gas heating and cars

- As a nation, making more electricity will help us grow new export industries and jobs. Think of all the tradespeople needed to install all the electric items!

- In 2515 we collectively sent $15million every year overseas for the petrol and diesel for our cars. Economic modelling shows that roughly 50% of money saved would be spent in our local community.

A: The average Australian home could save $5000 per year on their energy and fuel costs by the end of this decade. Visit the Rewiring Australia website for more information.

Just Do it! Electrify Illawarra is just a passionate group of locals who want to do something positive for our community (and our climate). We’d love to see more communities start their own group and join The Electric Communities network