Climate Action Merri-bek is campaigning for everyone to have access to affordable and renewable energy. To achieve this, we need energy from renewable sources and we need to electrify homes and businesses so that we can make use of renewable energy.

Victoria is making some progress, with over 44% of electricity coming from renewables last year: 24% from wind, 16% from solar (mostly from rooftop solar), and the remainder from hydro. Wholesale prices for electricity are falling, as more electricity is generated from renewables. (Victorian Government 2026)

However, this does not mean that everyone has access, let alone equal access, to affordable renewable energy.

Firstly, we need to keep the momentum going to achieve 100% renewable energy.

Secondly, there are still many barriers at the local level, particularly in inner and middle suburbs like the Merri-bek area. For example, the rate of rooftop solar is much lower here than in many newer suburbs.

Housing density in this area is higher, with many more apartments and rental properties. Existing housing tends to be older, harder to heat and cool, and harder to electrify. Some heritage areas do not allow visible rooftop solar. All such factors create challenges.

While financial support is available, there are usually still costs for installing rooftop solar and batteries, and for electrifying homes, making it difficult for lower income groups. Even when low-income subsidies are available (as they are from Merri-bek Council) the process of installing solar and batteries and electrifying homes is often very complicated.

Merri-bek Council is doing a great deal to support affordable renewable energy for all, but we know there is still more we can do in partnership as a community, particularly for low-income groups, renters, apartment dwellers, people whose first language is not English, and many who find the process challenging.

We also know that even though the wholesale price of electricity is going down as more renewables come online, this is not necessarily translating into lower prices for households.

Electricity retailers are increasingly raising their supply charges (the charge you pay to be connected to the grid) even if they are lowering their usage charges (what you pay for the actual electricity you use).

This has particular implications for people who are low users of electricity from the grid, such as:

• low-income groups who can’t afford to use much electricity
• people who have invested in solar, batteries and making their homes more sustainable
• those who choose to limit energy use because they are trying to live sustainably

(and of course there is often overlap between these groups).

For these groups, they may find that an increasing proportion of their electricity bill is from supply charges and that the time, thought and money they have invested in trying to reduce their electricity use does not seem to be making a great difference to their bills.

In our campaign, Climate Action Merri-bek wants to work with local people, council and other organisations to address these issues, both at local level and ‘big picture’ level.

We want to ensure that as many people as possible can get access to affordable renewable energy. We also want to ensure that the electricity system works in the interests of ordinary people, and that savings from renewable energy arrive at the household level.