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 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 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.

Note:  The revised closing date is 30 January 2026 at 5pm.

Eligible organisations include:

• councils in our electricity distribution network for projects within our electricity distribution network
• small businesses and sole traders providing an essential service and/or acting as a resilience centre or hub for their local community during a severe weather event or prolonged power outage * Sole traders must have a valid ABN and an annual turnover of $10m or less
• community and charitable organisations including social enterprises
• community energy foundations
• applicants must be able to demonstrate the ability to deliver the project within the specified budget and timeframe
• organisations do not need to have DGR (Deductible Gift Recipient) or TCC (Tax Concession Charity) status to apply.
• if your organisation is not based in our electricity distribution network but delivers community energy resilience projects within our network, you may be eligible. Please speak with the ERCF manager before submitting an application.

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