Rewiring Australia has welcomed a household electrification program in New South Wales, which it says will reduce energy bills for low income households in the state while also tackling the climate crisis.
More than 24,000 social housing tenants will receive grants for upgrades including solar PV, hot water systems, ceiling fans, reverse-cycle air conditioners, insulation and draught proofing.
The grants worth a total of $175 million over four years will be jointly funded by the New South Wales State and Federal Governments.
Rewiring Australia Executive Director, Dan Cass, said, “We are delighted that Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and New South Wales Premier, Chris Minns, have taken up our policy to provide grants to electrify social housing properties.
“Household electrification is the fastest, most cost effective way to reduce emissions – and it also decreases the cost of living by significantly reducing energy bills.
“Targeting social homes is necessary to ensure everyone benefits from the bounty of renewable energy regardless of their income.”
The Federal Government is also helping apartment residents access cheaper solar energy by subsidising rooftop solar installations and providing grants for purchasing a slice of a solar farm.
“This is important because 21.7 per cent of dwellings in New South Wales are apartments, and people who live there can’t simply install a solar system on their roof like people in a separate house,” Mr Cass said.
“As the climate emergency and cost of living crisis worsen, governments will need to invest big in electrification policies like this, to slash bills and emissions at the same time.”
