Rural seats held by National Party politicians will be big winners from the Labor government’s $50 million community electrification grant program, in a move that renewables advocates say could help address scepticism about the energy transition in regional areas.

Climate and Energy Minister Chris Bowen will on Thursday announce the first recipients of the government’s Community Energy Upgrades Fund, which was set up in December 2023 to aid the electrification of local facilities such as pools and libraries.