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The Illawarra Urban REZ
What an Urban REZ does differently
Australian households lead the world in rooftop solar and batteries. But right now, every one of those systems works on its own. Typical regional Renewable Energy Zones, or REZs, bring new power in from big solar and wind farms and then send it to our homes, much like traditional coal power stations.
An Urban REZ does something different by pulling the power already sitting on our roofs and in our garages into one coordinated local system, while adding more solar and batteries on existing buildings.
The Illawarra Urban REZ is NSW's first. Led by EnergyCo and Endeavour Energy, it will connect thousands of rooftop solar systems, home and community batteries, and EV chargers. Rewiring Australia is working to push for it to also bring in the commercial roofs, carparks, schools and public land that aren't yet being utilised, and to create fairer energy prices that reflect this more cost-effective way to produce and use energy.
Project partners and funding
NSW's first
The first Urban REZ in the state, and a template for the rest.
Rooftops first
Built on the power already sitting on our roofs and in our garages.
Stored locally
Home and community batteries, plus EV chargers, working as one system.
Priced fairly
Energy prices that reflect a cheaper way to make and use power.
Why the Illawarra Urban REZ matters
When power is made, stored and used in the same neighbourhood, it eases pressure on the local grid. That can mean fewer costly network upgrades, which everyone pays for through their bills. It also means more of the region's solar gets used rather than wasted in the middle of the day.
It could also give renters, apartment residents and lower-income households a share in the rooftop solar boom, through community batteries, shared solar and new ways to buy local power.
Rewiring Australia's role in the Illawarra Urban REZ
Rewiring Australia provides expert insight and strategic guidance to ensure the Illawarra Urban REZ maximises the region's solar, battery and electric capacity.
As an active member of the official Community Reference Group, our role is to ensure that community benefits, household participation and practical pathways to electrification are permanently embedded in the development of the REZ.
We are actively working to:
Support inclusive models that help households, local businesses and community organisations participate.
Identify and dismantle barriers preventing widespread electrification uptake.
Provide independent information to help communities easily navigate electrification opportunities.
Advocate for policy reforms that make local energy generation, storage and sharing simple and affordable.
Ensure all REZ projects deliver tangible, lasting local benefits.
The Rewiring Australia Illawarra blueprint
Local energy incentives
Modern pricing approaches that financially reward locally generated and stored energy, encouraging investment in solar, batteries and flexible demand.
More accessible participation
Helping households, renters, small businesses and community groups take part through transparent information and flexible, zero-barrier participation models.
Community-scale infrastructure
Visible local energy assets, such as neighbourhood batteries, community solar installations and public EV charging hubs.
Tailored support for businesses
Mapping the unique barriers faced by Illawarra commercial and industrial customers to help them electrify rapidly.
What is the potential impact of the Urban REZ?
Our vision is for the Illawarra to become the premier national blueprint for how urban communities across Australia can lead the clean energy transition. A successful Illawarra Urban REZ will: