The Energy Resilience Community Fund (ERCF) provides grants to community and not-for-profit organisations, local councils and small businesses to help build and strengthen community energy resilience.

Funding amount: $50k-$500k per grant

Funding may include:

• community hubs – ‘shower and power’ centres
• mobile assets that can be used in various locations – for example, mobile shower facilities or major generators powering sections of a main street
• community batteries that fit with our network considerations
• larger solar and storage solutions for single premises or facilities
• smaller scale generation and storage over multiple facilities, such as community organisations that support residents over several locations or buildings, or a small business wanting to support multiple members to become more energy resilient.

Applying for a major grant is a two-stage process:

• Stage one - Initial proposals must be submitted by 5pm on Friday 23 August 2024. Initial proposals must undergo a technical review to ensure the project:
  • has been properly scoped and costed
  • is feasible and deliverable
  • has considered all technical requirements and electricity network considerations. 

• Stage two – If we approve the initial proposal, we’ll ask you to submit a full grant application. Applications close 5pm on Friday 20 September 2024

Please note:  Projects must be located or delivered within their electricity distribution area.

Who can apply?

• A single organisation or a collaborative project submitted on behalf of multiple organisations.
• Local councils within our electricity distribution area. There are 27 local government areas (LGAs) in our network.
• Community and charitable foundations and organisations.
• Social enterprises.
• Small businesses.
• Sole traders in our electricity distribution network.

Eligibility:

• Projects must be located or delivered within our electricity distribution area. To check if your project falls within our network, enter your project’s address on the Find your energy distributor website. 
• Your project must clearly improve or increase community energy resilience for the relevant communities.
• Organisations can submit multiple applications, however, we will only award one grant per organisation per category.
• All applicants must have a valid ABN and an Australian bank account linked to that ABN.
• Business applicants must have a valid ABN and an annual turnover of $10 million or less.
• Applications from sole traders will be accepted if they have a valid ABN and can clearly show their ability to deliver the project.
• Tax endorsements such as Deductible Gift Recipient Status (DGR) or Tax Concession Charity (TCC) status are not required.
• Applications must clearly explain how the project will be delivered within the specified timeframe and budget.
• Successful applicants must sign a funding agreement with us. 
• If you’re still unsure whether you are eligible, call our ERCF manager Kim Sullivan on 0499 781 580 or email ERCF@ausnetservices.com.au before submitting an application.

• Phone: 0499 781 580
• Email: ERCF@ausnetservices.com.au