About Us
Westmill Energy is the umbrella term for the three Westmill organisations: Westmill Solar Co-operative, Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative and Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust (WeSET).
Pioneers in community energy in the UK, Westmill Solar and Wind are co-operatives. WeSET is an independent charity, largely funded by Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives, promoting sustainable energy through arts, education and energy projects.
Westmill Energy is unique in that the three organisations involved are located on the same site, near Watchfield in Oxfordshire. Together they generate over 15GWh of clean, renewable energy each year, assist local organisations to support their communities and educate the public on the benefits of renewable energy. Although comprised of three independent entities, Westmill Energy believes in the power of collective action and has joined forces to share the Westmill story.
Our Vision
At Westmill Energy, we are working towards a future where the UK’s energy comes from clean, renewable and community-owned energy sources.
Our Mission
Westmill Energy works to combat the climate crisis by providing reliable sources of renewable energy, promoting sustainability energy education and engaging local people in community energy.
Our Co-operative Values
Co-ops are run on the basic values of democracy, equality and ethical action. At Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives, this translates into every decision that is made by our boards of directors. Explore the principles below to see how we are meeting the co-operative principles defined by the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
Voluntary and Open Membership
Co-operatives are voluntary organisations, open to everyone able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political or religious discrimination. The original Westmill Wind (2007) and Westmill Solar (2012) share offers were designed to offer local people an opportunity to participate in the co-operatives, by setting a low minimum shareholding.
Democratic Member Control
The democratic control of members, who actively participate in policy and decision-making, is a key aspect of co-operatives. Each member has one vote regardless of the number of shares held: one member, one vote. In the Westmill co-operatives, our volunteer-directors serve as elected representatives accountable to the membership and are members of the co-operatives.
Member Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their co-operative. Westmill members have collectively decided that their co-operatives will support renewable energy, education and community benefits. Members receive annual member interest payments as limited compensation on the capital they have invested into the co-operatives.
In 2021, the Trading Dividend scheme was put in place, which provides an additional mechanism for members to be compensated for their economic participation in the co-operatives.
Autonomy and Independence
Co-operatives are autonomous, self-help organisations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organisations, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their co-operative autonomy.
The Westmill co-operatives employ specialist help for site management, accounting, legal affairs and communications, but responsibility remains with the volunteer directors and the members.
Education, Training and Information
The Westmill co-operatives have consistently sought to educate and inform members and the public on the benefits of community renewables. This has been achieved through helping to fund the work done by WeSET, running workshops for members, engaging with elected officials and participating in research on site.
Co-operation among Co-operatives
Co-operatives strengthen the co-operative movement by working together through local, national, regional and international structures. The Westmill co-operatives are fortunate to work alongside a number of active co-operatives.
Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar co-operatives are both members of REScoop.eu, shareholders in Energy4All and work with Your Co-op Energy on our annual trading dividend. In 2024, the Westmill Co-operatives helped to launch the first cross border energy co-operative investment: REScoop MECISE.
Concern for Community
The Westmill co-operatives are committed to supporting the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members. Westmill members have set aside annual contributions to community funding, which will help to support climate change mitigation, education and related community benefits for years to come.
Westmill Solar and Wind Co-operatives are also early and accredited supports of the Fair Tax Foundation, encouraging businesses to pay their fair share of taxes.
Our Story
A timeline of our organisations.
I support Westmill Solar because it directly benefits communities and individual investors in clean energy projects uncompromised by the conflicting interests of large corporations.
Jane Buckley
Westmill Solar Member
When I first saw the share offer for Westmill Solar I thought what a great idea, the interest is better than the banks. But that was not the main reason for investing, it was the idea I would be helping my son and others with a better cleaner future.
Alan Barlow
Westmill Solar Member
I like the fact that the wind farm is producing home grown renewable energy and is 100% community owned.
Westmill Wind Farm Member
I am a DIY investor who started reading up on investing at university before taking the plunge by purchasing index funds in 2010. I am still very enthusiastic about renewable energy and thanks to a healthy interest payment every year, I haven't missed the money I've invested.
Maureen McGuinness
Westmill Solar Member
I became a shareholder in Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative because I wanted to take some responsibility for the energy that I was consuming. I also wanted to be part of a community that championed the move towards renewable energy.
David Abley
Westmill Solar and Wind Member
I invested because I believe in local, renewable energy projects.
I have very little savings and no experience in stocks and shares but wanted to support your initiative. I thought that it might not lose money and possibly give a return equal to bank savings account.
Beth Edwards
Westmill Solar Member
I joined and invested in Westmill Windfarm Co-operative because I believe in the absolute necessity of switching to renewable generation, and preferably in community ownership - why is it taking so long?
Westmill Wind Farm Member
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