UK Energy Minister Michael Shanks visits Westmill

Westmill was thrilled to welcome UK Energy Minister, Michael Shanks MP, to the wind and solar farms this month.

Shanks met with co-op Board Chairs Tom Parkinson and Mark Luntley, Sarah Flood: Society Secretary, Alex Molton: Support and Communications Officer, and WeSET guides, to learn about the site’s inspiring history, plans for future development and the community benefits which ripple out from the co-operatives on a local, national and global scale.

We shared our Westmill Community Energy Manifesto with Minister Shanks and demonstrated the benefits of a community energy co-operative. He was impressed by the incredibly positive impact that the energy co-operatives have on the local area and explained that he would like to see similar schemes appearing across the country.

Shanks also recognised that Westmill empowers members to feel that they can play a part in addressing the climate crisis and ensuring better energy security in the future.

“Projects like Westmill show how communities can lead the way in building a more sustainable energy future,” said Shanks. “They engage with local people, generate green energy, and keep the financial benefits circulating in the community.”

The visit comes as part of the government’s broader engagement with community energy groups to explore how local initiatives can play a bigger role in achieving national net zero goals, and their announcement on Onshore Wind.

Visit us to find out more about the wonderful Westmill story! You can find out more about our vision of the future for community energy in the Westmill Community Energy Manifesto.

Photo credit: DEZNZ