☀️ Electrify Inner West Expo, Sat 24 October, Leichhardt Town Hall ☀️ Free entry. Stalls and a Q&A covering solar, batteries, heat pump hot water, EV charging, induction cooking and getting off gas. Registration recommended.

About us

Our mission

Our mission is to support the clean energy transition across Sydney’s Inner West. We do this through free Info Events and end-to-end support for home installations.

Come to an Info Event · See how it works

Our community work

A portion of our revenue goes towards clean energy projects on community facilities across the Inner West. Sometimes we pay for these fully ourselves, and sometimes we top up with grants from programs such as the federal Stronger Communities Program.

We have supported solar and other projects at:

  • Guthrie House in Enmore
  • Leichhardt Women’s Community Health Centre
  • Styles Street Community Childcare Centre
  • The Aboriginal Medical Centre in Redfern
  • The Asylum Seekers Centre in Newtown
  • Metro Community Housing
  • Marrickville Women’s Refuge
  • The Girls Refuge

Read more in News.

Our team

We are primarily volunteer-run, with one part-time employee. Our Management Committee oversees our dedicated team of volunteers.

Gavin Gilchrist

Gavin Gilchrist

Project Manager

Gavin has 30 years experience in the clean energy sector. His book “The Big Switch. Clean Energy for the 21st Century” was published in 1994. He was a program manager at the NSW Sustainable Energy Development Authority, ran his own energy efficiency firm, Big Switch Projects, a consortium member for both the Adelaide and Blacktown Solar Cities.

Amanda Deacon

Amanda Deacon

Chairperson

Amanda brings creativity and innovation to the committee whether it’s something she’s cooked in her self-made solar oven or a delicious fermented beverage. Immersed in tech during the day, she provides a fresh perspective to how to promote sustainability in the Inner West.

Peter Lawson

Peter Lawson

Vice Chairperson & Heat Pump Manager

Peter Lawson is a Leichhardt resident. After getting solar panels onto his roof with the help of IWCE he liked what he saw and joined the group. The energy and direction of the group is about creating positive action on climate change. Peter wants to encourage households to electrify everything. Now!

Ain Kalmus

Ain Kalmus

Treasurer

Ain has loved living in the Inner West for over 30 years, and actively volunteered across community groups for over 10 years. As a Chartered Accountant and former CFO in energy efficiency, he joined IWCE to support clean energy. A 2025 IWCE information night led Ain to install a solar and battery system that delivers for himself and the community.

Helen Barnes

Helen Barnes

Secretary

Bio coming soon!

Ben Goh

Ben Goh

Committee Member and Service Expansion lead

This space of renewable energy and home electrification is exactly where Ben wants to be and what excites him most. After 8+ years leading product strategy and digital delivery, Ben is now designing and planning home electrification services and customer journeys with Inner West Community Energy. Ben is particularly interested in helping people better understand this landscape and approach these energy improvement decisions with greater clarity and confidence.

Josh Stephens

Josh Stephens

Committee Member and Events lead

Josh has lived in Leichhardt for two years, and works in projects and operations across financial services. He's got a spoodle puppy, loves Italian food, and is happiest in the snow or at the beach. He joined IWCE after several years in the climate movement, and is passionate about a healthier planet.