Released 21/08/2026 - Joint media release
Canberra social housing residents have saved $8.6 million on energy bills since 2023, thanks to energy efficient upgrades delivered by the ACT Government, with support from the Albanese Labor Government.
Over 4,600 public and community housing properties have now received electrification and ceiling insulation upgrades, resulting in an average household saving of more than $1,800 since 2023.
To date, social housing properties across Canberra have received more than 1,400 reverse-cycle air conditioners, 1,846 heat pump hot water systems and 329,630 square metres of ceiling insulation, the equivalent of 46 soccer fields.
The rollout is now around 70 per cent complete, putting the ACT Government ahead of schedule on its commitment to electrify all feasible social housing properties by 2030.
The next phase of work will build on these savings, by installing rooftop solar and batteries on at least 7,500 Housing ACT properties and connecting them through a Virtual Power Plant (VPP).
The project will allow residents living in Housing ACT properties to gain even greater benefit from their all-electric homes and share in the benefits of the energy transition, while thousands of virtually connected batteries will also help support the stability and reliability of Canberra’s electricity grid.
The social housing energy efficiency upgrades are being delivered with $47 million in funding from the ACT Government and $20.1 million from the Australian Government through the Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative.
For more information visit the Everyday Climate Choices website.
Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Josh Wilson MP:
"The Albanese government’s investment means that Canberra's social housing residents can access the same money-saving improvements and appliances that are positively impacting the comfort and resilience of many other Australian homes. It’s part of our commitment to making sure the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared, especially those facing disadvantage.”
"To date, our government’s Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative has upgraded more than 37,000 social housing properties across the country, meaning many more Australians are keeping cooler in summer and warmer in winter while saving on their energy bills."
Quotes attributable to ACT Minister for Climate Change, Environment, Energy and Water Suzanne Orr MLA:
“Climate change and economic insecurity are deeply connected, and we know their impacts are not felt equally across our community.
“A key principle under our new Climate Change Strategy outlines the need for an equitable transition with electrification.
“Electrification and insulation upgrades have already delivered millions of dollars in savings to low-income households. Solar and batteries are the next step.
“Solar and batteries will help residents get even more benefit from their all-electric homes, while also providing valuable battery capacity to Canberra’s electricity grid.
“An equitable energy transition means focusing government investment where it is needed most so that climate action reduces household costs, strengthens community resilience and ensures no one is left behind.”
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Canberra Alicia Payne:
“Through investment in social housing energy performance, we're ensuring that people living in public and community housing can share in the benefits of cheaper, cleaner energy"
"It's fantastic to see Canberra well ahead of schedule, with thousands of households already saving money while living in warmer homes in winter and cooler homes in summer. This is a great example of what can be achieved when the Australian and ACT Governments work together to support Canberra residents"
"The next phase of this program will help social housing residents benefit even further through rooftop solar, battery storage and participation in a Virtual Power Plant. Together, these investments will deliver lower energy bills, greater energy security and help more Canberrans share in the benefits of the clean energy transition
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