Australia Backs Solar and Electrification Upgrades With $100M Community Energy Fund

In a significant push toward cleaner and more affordable energy, the Albanese Government has announced $50 million in grants under the second round of its $100 million Community Energy Upgrades Fund, supporting 66 local governments across Australia to electrify and upgrade community facilities.

The initiative covers a wide range of community assets — from neighbourhood sports clubs and local libraries to aquatic centres and public pools — all aimed at reducing energy bills and cutting emissions through energy-efficient technologies.

Victoria Secures $10 Million for Local Upgrades

Ten Victorian councils will share $10 million to upgrade well-used community facilities across regions stretching from Bendigo to Eltham. Key projects include:

• Eltham Leisure Centre (Nillumbik Shire Council)
  Awarded $2.5 million to transition the centre to a fully electric facility. The funding will help double electricity supply and upgrade pool-heating infrastructure, enabling long-term cost savings and reduced emissions.
• Bendigo Library (Greater Bendigo City Council)
  Securing $1.2 million, the library will replace gas systems with electric heat pumps, marking Bendigo’s first major public building to begin its shift away from gas as the city targets net-zero emissions by 2030.
• Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre (Wangaratta Rural City Council)
  Allocated $650,000 for pool-heating upgrades and broader energy-efficiency improvements expected to reduce both emissions and operational costs.

Nationwide Impact

Across Australia, successful applications include:

• 33 upgrades to local aquatic centres
• 10 grants for smart EV-charging infrastructure
• Solar installations in nearly all funded projects
• Battery-storage systems in over half the upgrades

Government Statements

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the upgrades demonstrate how local facilities can transition to cleaner, cheaper energy without compromising community services. “These facilities are central to community life, and this funding ensures they can invest more into the services Australians value,” he said.

Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson highlighted the role of electrification in long-term cost reductions, stating that replacing gas boilers with electric alternatives will “cut emissions and help local governments reduce their running costs.”

Special Envoy for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Kate Thwaites emphasised the importance of resilience in the face of climate impacts. “Local governments are on the front line of floods, heatwaves and other impacts. These energy upgrades save money today while helping protect communities for the future,” she noted.