Hepburn Energy will lead a regional energy literacy initiative to help households across the Grampians Central West region switch to cheaper, cleaner electric appliances.

The projects, to be delivered over the upcoming financial year, will also build awareness of Victorian Government incentives such as the SEC Electric Home Planner, Victorian Energy Upgrades Program and Solar Victoria rebates.

Funded through the Victorian Government’s Community Electrification Engagement Program (CEEP), the project aims to improve understanding of electrification benefits and government incentives—empowering households to make informed choices about replacing gas appliances with efficient electric alternatives.

Hepburn Energy, formerly the Hepburn Community Wind Park Co-operative, will work with community and climate groups across 11 local government areas to train local Home Energy Champions who will share knowledge and practical support within their communities.

Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas, welcomed the funding and praised Hepburn Energy’s leadership:

“The Community Electrification Engagement Program will empower communities to embrace electric appliances so they can start saving money on their energy bills. Hepburn Energy is ideally placed to deliver this community-led approach.”

The program will raise awareness of Victorian Government rebates and tools including the SEC Electric Home Planner, the Victorian Energy Upgrades Program, and Solar Victoria offerings for solar panels, batteries, and hot water systems.

Hepburn Energy has a strong track record in community-led energy solutions. Established more than a decade ago, it built Australia’s first community-owned wind farm, which still offsets the electricity use of Daylesford and surrounds. In recent years, the co-op has expanded its vision. It is developing a hybrid renewable energy hub with a 5 MW solar installation and up to 10 MW of battery storage at the existing wind farm site.

The energy literacy program builds on the co-op’s broader Hepburn Z-NET initiative, which aims to achieve zero-net emissions across Hepburn Shire by 2030. Through this work, the co-op has supported:

  • Bulk buys for solar, batteries, heat pumps, and EVs,
  • Construction of a regional EV charging network, and
  • Free energy audits for local households.

All of this is guided by a commitment to affordability and inclusion. Taryn Lane, general manager at Hepburn Energy, said the co-op applies a social justice lens to every project.

“We’re not going to put forward programs that are unaffordable,” she said. “We want to make clean energy solutions accessible to everyone.”

With over 2,000 members, Hepburn Energy continues to inspire other community energy projects across Australia. The new regional energy literacy initiative is another step forward in helping households lower bills, cut emissions, and build a more resilient future—one home at a time.

For more information, visit www.hepburnenergy.coop.

This article is based on a media release form the office of Member for Macedon, Mary-Anne Thomas.