Happy Lunar New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai to all who celebrate! May the Year of the Horse bring you joy and prosperity.
Back on the YEF front, it has been a busy start to the year and we are excited to share our new projects with you:
- We launch our new engagement project 'Sport & Spark: Sparking conversations about home electrification through sport', where we will be working with sports clubs to help their members reduce energy bills,
- Mornington Peninsula Home Energy Upgrades is now open to all residents of the Mornington Peninsula Shire to access free advice about home energy upgrades,
- Darebin Energy Upgrades also launched this month, open to residents and businesses looking for a supported pathway to energy upgrades,
- and the Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow continues with more wonderful local events.
SPARKING | Conversations about home electrification through Sport & Spark
Sport & Spark provides funding for sports clubs and organisations to host events or activities for their communities between May and November 2026.
Sport & Spark is led by Yarra Energy Foundation and supported by the Victorian Government through the Cheaper Home Electric Energy Program (CHEEP).
The initiative helps clubs to:
- strengthen participation and social connections
- grow membership and skills
- support fundraising efforts
While also providing households with a fun and accessible way to learn about home electrification - including solar, efficient electric heating and cooling, electric appliances and available rebates - through trusted sporting environments.
YEF is seeking to work with approximately 12 sports clubs or associations based in Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Maribyrnong, Melton, Whittlesea or Wyndham.
LAUNCHING | Mornington Peninsula Shire Home Energy Upgrades
In partnership with Mornington Peninsula Shire, we are thrilled to have launched the Home Energy Upgrades program on 2nd February.
Residents in Mornington Peninsula can access free expert advice and well priced energy efficient products through our trusted installer, helping them to reduce energy bills and improve household comfort.
If you live in Mornington Pensinsula and want to learn more, come along to an upcoming information session:
There are also a limited number of additional rebates available for Pensioner Concession card and Veteran's Affairs Gold Card holders.
- To learn more, visit website or call us on 7037 6040.
LAUNCHING | Darebin Energy Upgrades program
Another exciting launch is our partnership with Darebin City Council on the Darebin Energy Upgrades program.
Open to all businesses and residents in the City of Darebin, this program can help you to electrify and improve the energy efficiency of your home or business to increase comfrot, reduce energy bills and invest in a cleaner, safer future.
If you live in Darebin and want to learn more, come along to an upcoming information session:
There are also a limited number of additional rebates available for Concession card holders and low-income households.
- To learn more, visit Darebin Energy Upgrades Program or call us on 7037 6040.
HIGHLIGHTING | Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow | February events
- We are thrilled to be back with another round of fantastic local events, as part of the Melbourne Community Electrification Roadshow.
- This project is supported by the Community Electrification Engagement Program, delivered by Sustainability Victoria on behalf of the Victorian Government.
- You can read more about our upcoming events over on our LinkedIn newsletter.
- Kicking off the month was Whitehorse City Council with Electric Vehicles: Smarter Driving, Lower Bills where locals heard from EV expert Bryce Gaton, and got the chance to check out some different EV models.
DAREBIN | GATHERING | Electrify your Home and Life | Tuesday 24 February 2026
Hosted by Darebin City Council, in partnership with YEF, All Electric Homes and Enviroflex
- Where: Reservoir Library
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: online via Eventbrite
SANDRINGHAM | GATHERING | Bayside Farmers Market induction cooking demonstration | Saturday 28 February 2025
Hosted by Village Zero Sandringham
- Where: Trey Bit Reserve, Sandringham
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: No registration required. Find out more.
VIC | MAV | WEBINAR | Neighbourhood Batteries Information Session | Tuesday 24 February 2026 | 10-11am
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) will be hosting a webinar this month about Neighbourhood Batteries and what councils need to know about funding, delivery and community impact.
Our General Manager, Tim Shue, will be joining the panel to share insights from YEF's neighbourhood battery projects, including the top three things that worked and the top three things to avoid.
This session will be valuable for procurement, finance, sustainability, engineering and community engagement teams across councils.
- Where: Online via Microsoft Teams
- Cost: Free
- Bookings: register via Microsoft Teams
YEF | CALLING | Applicants for Non-executive Director opportunity | Applications close Sunday 1 March 2026
The Yarra Energy Foundation is seeking expressions of interest for up to three unpaid non-executive directors to join its established and experienced board of directors and be part of a highly motivated team driving real outcomes for communities.
With a strong track record in clean energy innovation, including Victoria’s first inner-urban community battery, YEF is scaling its impact across renewables, energy storage, and electrification.
We welcome expressions of interest from experienced leaders, and in particular, those with expertise engagement, partnerships, communication marketing, people, culture, and HR.
If you’re looking to add strategic leadership to a high-impact climate organisation, we’d love to hear from you.
- Apply online or email your questions to secretary@yef.org.au.
AUST | RENEW | CALLING | Home Demonstrators for Sustainable House Day | Applications close Wednesday 4 March 2026
Sustainable House Day, Sunday 17 May 2026, is a wonderful initiative presented by Renew, where locals invite you into their homes and share the practical solutions that make homes more efficient, affordable and climate-ready.
Home applications are open and Renew are looking for homes across Australia to take part - houses, apartments, homeowners or renters - all are welcome.
If you know someone who has retrofitted, electrified, renovated, rebuilt or made simple, effective upgrades, please encourage them to apply.
SHARING | Our Services
Find out more about the services that Yarra Energy Foundation offers including:
- Feasibility studies
- Community Engagement
- Community battery strategies for local councils
- Consulting & advice
- Project management
- Solar & electrification programs
We are a small team of extremely passionate energy experts with decades of combined industry, governmental, business, and sustainability experience.
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Yarra Energy Foundation acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as the Traditional Owners of this country, pays tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Yarra, and gives respect to the Elders past and present.