Our Changeprint
Our Changeprint can be measured by the amount of renewable energy generated; number of community members involved; additional community energy projects inspired by our work and supported by us; and by our example to encourage more renewable energy collectives and cooperatives.
Our story
Our co-ops wouldn't exist today if it wasn't for green activist Adam Twine – the landowner for both Westmill sites – and his early vision for a renewable energy co-operative. He started trying to get permission for a wind farm in the early nineties, but the development journey for Westmill Wind Co-operative was complex, with planning permission taking 15 years to obtain.
The wind farm was completed in 2008 with support from Energy4All – a network that supports renewable cooperatives - and they continue to manage Westmill Wind today. A community share offer saw £4.6M raised by 2,400 members with a further £3.4M bank loan providing the funds to build five 1.3 MW turbines. The windfarm generates around 8 GWh a year; enough to power around 3,000 homes annually.
After the success of Westmill Wind, solar seemed like a natural next step, and when it was constructed in 2012, Westmill Solar Co-operative was the first community-owned solar park in southern England. Its 20,000 polycrystalline PV panels were installed across 30 acres by a commercial developer with a buy-back option if we could raise the purchase funds within 15 months. It was a race against time to raise the £15M needed, but we just made the deadline. The solar park was acquired by members in October 2012 and generates around 4.5 GWh annually; enough energy to power around 1,600 homes each year.
Both sites are housed on an organic farm, which is a haven for biodiversity and nature. You can even buy Westmill honey!
As co-operatives, all of our members have the same voice, whether they have a small or large number of shares. This structure makes it easier for people to participate and actively shape the running of our co-ops. The energy produced by Westmill Wind and Solar flows into the national grid, with co-operative members receiving an annual interest payment based on the money we receive from our Power Purchase Agreement and the subsidies we receive for electricity generation.
In 2021, we also established a Trading Dividend, which rewards those members who purchase their electricity from the Your Co-op Energy's Community Power Tariff – the only energy tariff completely powered by community energy generators.
Both co-operatives are incredibly active in the local community – we have welcomed over 17,000 visitors – and take every opportunity to educate and inspire others on the benefits of community-owned renewable energy. We launched a charity called the Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust in 2008, which provides support and sustainability education to local schools and runs site tours and public visits at Westmill.
Since its creation, Westmill Energy has provided grants to initiatives near to the Westmill site, as well as national and international organisations. Westmill Solar also runs an annual community grants scheme which awards funds to community projects and charities within Oxfordshire, or 25 miles of the Westmill site. In 2025, Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives were thrilled to announce that together they have now donated over £1M in community funding and grants!
We believe that generating electricity isn't enough. We want to be a pioneer – a beacon for renewable energy collectives and co-operatives, and sustainable lifestyles – and we have over 3,000 engaged members who are helping us to spread that message. We've also inspired and supported other renewable community sites and we're very proud of that legacy.
Our advice
Persevere – It was a long and arduous process to get the first site off the ground, but the results have been exceptional, particularly the positive impact we have been able to have in the local community. If you don't succeed at first, keep going!
Reach out – The challenge for many community groups is that – quite often – this is the first time they have ever attempted an initiative like this. It can be complex and overwhelming. However, there is now a broad network of renewable energy groups and cooperatives across the UK. It's important to reach out and share expertise and experiences.
