A household electrification program announced today will reduce energy bills for low income households in NSW while tackling the climate crisis, according to Rewiring Australia.
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 NSW and Commonwealth governments.
"We are delighted that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Premier Chris Minns have taken up our policy to provide grants to electrify social housing properties," said Rewiring Australia Executive Director Dan Cass.
"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 Commonwealth 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% of dwellings in NSW are apartments and people who live there can't simply install a solar system on their roof like people in a separate house," said Dan Cass.
"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."
