In a quiet corner of the Illawarra region in New South Wales, a pioneering project is underway.
Electrify 2515 is Australia’s first community-led electrification initiative, representing a monumental stride towards a sustainable future. The project seeks to electrify 500 local homes by leveraging residential rooftop solar power to transition from fossil fuels like coal, gas and petrol to renewable sources.
The aim is not only to simplify the process of home electrification but also to gather crucial research that will benefit communities across the nation. The brainchild of Dr Saul Griffith, the engineer and renewable electricity advocate who founded Rewiring Australia, this program exemplifies how a local community can spearhead the shift to an electric future.
Dr Griffith said, “I’m so proud that our 2515 community is at the forefront of this transition. We can fast forward our neighbourhood to the electric future and show the rest of Australia how to do it faster and smarter.”
The ambitious project exemplifies how electrification can be achieved on a community scale, reinforcing the grid’s reliability, reducing energy costs, and setting a global example for others.
Why electrify?
The project aims to simplify the complex process of home electrification, providing critical research to help every Australian community transition smoothly to a smart, electric future.
The reason for this is simple – it’s cheaper, cleaner, and better for our planet.
In doing so, the objective is to learn locally and think nationally, capturing valuable insights from the electrification journey about customer choices and energy data that can play a vital role in shaping the national policies and practices that will drive sustainable change.
How it works
Under the pilot, residents of the 2515 postcode can apply for subsidies of up to $1,000 for electric water systems, reverse-cycle air conditioners, induction cooktops, and up to $1,500 for home batteries.
Each participating household will also receive a free smart energy device to optimise their energy use, along with necessary switchboard upgrades to support the new appliances.
Additional incentives are available for lower‑income households, ensuring that the program is accessible to a broad range of people.
Electrifying an entire community
But what makes Electrify 2515 groundbreaking is its ambition. It is not just another small-scale electrification project – it’s the world’s first initiative aimed at electrifying an entire community while enhancing grid reliability and lowering energy costs and proving that the energy grid can handle the ‘electrification of everything’.
By demonstrating that electrification strengthens the grid rather than burdening it, this project is setting an example for communities worldwide.
Rewiring Australia Co-founder and Executive Director, Dan Cass, said electrification is key to solving 80 per cent of global emissions.
“The technology is ready, and this community’s commitment proves that Australians are ready too.”
Shared vision of locals and partners
This pioneering project is driven by passionate locals and represents an $11.8 million collaboration between Rewiring Australia, Brighte and Endeavour Energy, with $5.4 million in Federal Government funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The initiative aims to illustrate that meaningful change can be driven by communities rather than solely relying on government or large corporations.
By taking collective action, communities can make smart, forward-thinking decisions to build a sustainable future.
The project also serves as a model for other communities across Australia, showcasing that sustainability and community-led solutions can boost local economies while enhancing resilience and energy independence.
“A community that electrifies together, thrives together,” said Dr Griffith, highlighting the project’s goal to show the world how communities can take charge of their energy futures.
“Australia is already leading the world in rooftop solar, and initiatives like this will help us set the global standard for clean, consumer-friendly energy.”
Local electricity distribution network operator Endeavour Energy will monitor throughout the pilot, providing insights into optimising the network for all customers, transitioning to a smarter, cleaner energy system.
Endeavour Energy CEO, Guy Chalkley, said, “This is our opportunity to collaborate with community partners and the Federal Government to help decarbonise the electricity grid, electrify homes and promote energy‑efficient appliances.
“We’re excited and confident that this will lead to cleaner, greener communities and inspire others to follow,” he said.
Incentives are available to support household energy choices and coordinate the necessary changes to facilitate the electrification process.
Brighte CEO, Katherine McConnell, emphasised the pilot’s role in scaling up electrification.
“This pilot will teach us how to overcome practical and economic challenges in electrifying homes. We’ll gain insights into how tradespeople and homeowners can work together to make this transition efficiently, as well as the role of finance and incentives to accelerate uptake.”
By converting to electric-powered homes and vehicles, households in the 2515 postcode are projected to save up to $20 million annually. This financial benefit will remain within the community rather than going toward external fossil fuel costs.
Dr Griffith believes re-investing in local solutions will create jobs and help keep money circulating within the region, potentially generating around 100 new jobs linked to the electrification effort.
Real-world insights
Part of what has garnered the support of partners for Electrify 2515 is the valuable real-world data about how electrification affects energy usage, grid stability and costs. The project’s key objectives are threefold:
Prove that the technology works by ensuring that everything from solar panels to electric vehicles integrates seamlessly with the grid and can be orchestrated to benefit the entire community
Demonstrate the economics by showing how the transition to electric energy can lower household costs and stimulate the local economy
Build public support by fostering trust within the community and showing how collective action leads to tangible benefits for everyone involved.
By tracking this data, the project demonstrates that electrification can enhance grid resilience, reduce costs and provide sustainable energy options for all customers connected to the network.
The insights gained from this pilot will shape future policies, business models, and technologies, paving the way for smarter energy systems nationwide.
Shaping the future of energy
While the journey to Electrify 2515 has come with its share of challenges – ranging from regulatory hurdles to financial complexities – Dr Griffith is confident that every step forward brings us closer to a smarter, greener, and more sustainable future.
“Many talk about the transition to an all-electric future, but with Electrify 2515, we’re putting this vision to the test in the real world.
“If it works here, it can work anywhere,” he said.
The insights gained will pave the way for other communities across Australia and beyond to replicate this model, said Dr Griffith.
“Electrify 2515 proves that the transition to an electrified future isn’t just a dream – it’s already happening.”
Indeed, in January 2025, Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, asked ARENA to consider funding more community electrification demonstration projects such as Electrify 2515 around the country.
With these efforts, the future of energy looks promising, as real-world initiatives like Electrify 2515 lead the charge towards sustainable living and economic revitalisation.
The success of this pilot project could indeed serve as a beacon for how communities can come together to drive meaningful change, ensuring a better, cleaner tomorrow for all.
