Westmill Wind and Solar donate over £1million

Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives are proud to announce a landmark achievement, which showcases the real value of community-owned renewable energy: their Community Funding schemes have distributed just over £1 million to good causes and community initiatives.

This milestone demonstrates how community energy works differently. Unlike traditional energy projects, where profits flow to distant shareholders, Westmill’s community-owned model ensures that the benefits of clean energy generation stay with the people and places which support it. Every kilowatt generated by the cooperatives translates directly into funding for positive change.

With both solar and wind power generated onsite, Westmill is also very unique in producing green energy with two technologies in one location. Generating around 15MW of electricity each year, the energy created at Westmill in 2024 was enough to power around 4,200 homes.

Since both co-operatives began, they have been committed to ensuring that their Community Benefit funding creates maximum impact. Developed by Mark Luntley, Chair of Westmill Wind Co-operative, the funding is designed to reach across three concentric circles: supporting local organisations like Low Carbon Hub, which works with partners across Oxfordshire to promote a low carbon future; national initiatives, including supporting Community Energy England; and international projects including Renewable World, which helps those living in poverty to access green energy, offering employment opportunities and climate change mitigation.

Tom Parkinson, Chair of Westmill Solar Co-operative, reflected on this achievement:

What makes this special is that funding decisions were made by representatives of our members. Some grants went locally – for example insulating nearby community buildings – but other funds supported women’s education in developing countries. This single number shows the real value of community ownership of renewable energy.

This achievement embodies one of the key co-operative principles: Concern for Community.

Community-directed donations have supported an impressive range of projects addressing fuel poverty, installing green energy sources, promoting sustainable food production, and creating warmer, more efficient community buildings across the local area.

Recent grant recipient Thame Players exemplifies this impact, using funding to install solar panels on their theatre roof. Chair Mike Rochford explained the impact of the funding from Westmill:

Before long, the theatre will be reaping the environmental and financial benefits from its new energy source, as we work towards reducing our carbon footprint. With lower overheads, the theatre will become more resilient…

The co-operatives’ commitment to community energy principles extends beyond funding. Their innovative plans to expand into education and training demonstrate how community ownership creates lasting capacity for renewable energy development, bringing another co-operative value to life.

Saskya Huggins, Westmill Solar Co-operative Director, who leads the Community Funding scheme, is excited about expanding this community energy model:

We have some exciting ideas to develop the scheme further and we hope to support new projects which members and supporters can get involved with. This will include a new ‘powering people’ strand of Westmill Solar Coop’s funding, which focusses on skills and capacity-building in the sector. We look forward to making connections with new organisations and individuals to continue to create positive changes within our communities.

The £1 million milestone proves that community energy isn’t just about generating clean electricity – it’s about generating community wealth, local decision-making, and lasting, positive change. When communities own their energy future, everyone benefits.

Westmill Solar’s Community Funding Scheme for 2025 opened for applications in July 2025. Application forms and guidance notes for applicants can be found online at https://westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/community-funding/