Affordable and sustainable energy upgrades for all
The Consumer Energy Strategy is our $290 million plan to ensure everyone can benefit from a sustainable energy future.
Our goal is to help households and small businesses across the state access the benefits of energy saving technologies, like household batteries and energy efficient appliances. Whatever your situation, there is support available for you. We’re committed to helping you reduce your electricity bills and make your home or business more comfortable and sustainable.
Our strategy will:
- keep energy bills as low as we can
- help achieve net zero emissions
- make our energy system more reliable
- ensure everyone can benefit from, and participate in, the energy transition.
How households and small businesses are already benefiting from the strategy
Setting targets to power people and communities
These targets will help drive uptake in energy-saving technologies, home energy efficiency, and electrification across NSW.
We will publicly report on our progress so households and small businesses can see how NSW is tracking over time.
Key action happening now
Solar and battery targets
We have set a target for 1 million households and small businesses to have access to a rooftop solar and battery system by 2035, rising to 1.5 million by 2050.
Status update (as at September 2025)
Approximately 143,000 NSW households and small businesses had rooftop solar and battery systems in place. Around 98% of these were residential customers. Uptake continues to grow steadily as battery system costs decline and consumer interest increases.
Virtual Power Plant participation
NSW has set a target for 3,400 MW of virtual power plant (VPP) capacity by 2035 and 10,000 MW by 2050.
Status update (as at September 2025)
Approximately 20,000 batteries were connected to VPPs across NSW, providing an estimated 108 MW of potential VPP capacity. Around 18% of newly installed batteries joined VPPs in the most recent quarter.
Incentives and rebates to reduce your power bills
We’re offering incentives and rebates to help you access more affordable, sustainable energy. This reduces the upfront cost of upgrading to energy saving technologies.
These are being rolled out in a phased approach.
Key actions happening now
Solar for apartment residents
We’ve launched a new program with the Australian Government to help apartment residents reduce their bills with solar.
National Energy Bill Relief
We’re helping households and small businesses with the cost of their electricity bills in the 2024–25 financial year.
Energy rebates
We’re supporting low-income households, families, seniors, veterans and people with certain medical conditions to pay their energy bills.
Battery incentive for signing up to a virtual power plant (VPP)
We're offering an incentive for signing up to a virtual power plant.
Appliance and equipment upgrades
We’re providing a range of financial incentives for households and small businesses to install energy-efficient equipment and appliances. This includes lighting, air conditioning, water heating, pool pumps, as well as motors, pumps, fans and furnaces.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging
We’re rolling out public EV charging stations across the state, improving infrastructure for current and future EV drivers.
Home energy saver
The $238.9 million Home Energy Saver Program will launch in 2026 to reduce household energy bills and emissions.
Community energy projects
Funding to support NSW community energy and not-for-profit organisations to help local communities take control of their energy use, reduce bills and benefit from the renewable energy transition.
Practical resources to help you make informed energy decisions
We’re developing clear, engaging resources and tools to help you:
- make simple changes to improve energy efficiency and cut bills
- understand the benefit of upgrading to energy saving technologies.
This will help you take action today in your own homes and businesses.
Visit our resources section to learn what’s available right now.
Key actions happening now
Consumer energy support
In 2025 we launched a new hub of energy resources and tools on our website and supported energy education outreach to the community. This work will continue on into 2026.
Boosting consumer rights, protections and reforms
We're implementing policies and plans that deliver certainty and stability for everyone in our energy transition. This will ensure households and small businesses are protected and supported to take up energy saving technologies.
Learn more about the strategy
Check out our high-level overview of the strategy
(PDF, 1.49 MB)
Learn how we’re powering communities and people across NSW
(PDF, 15.58 MB)
More resources to help you reduce your bills today
We know it can feel like there’s a lot of information about energy saving out there. Here’s some simple things you can do in your home today that make a difference to your bills.
Take action for households
Find new tools and resources to help you cut your bills, improve energy efficiency and access government support.
Review your energy use and take steps to save
Stay up to date
If you would like to register your interest in any of the initiatives under the strategy, please fill in the form below. We will contact you when more information becomes available.