WestmillEnergy

03/09/2026

Time is running out to apply for a Community Funding Grant towards a project in your area which helps to promote sustainability, tackle fuel poverty or support energy efficiency measures.

Applicants need to live within Oxfordshire, or 25 miles of the Westmill site.

Find out more about eligibility and how to apply on our website: https://westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/community-funding/ -grant

Closing date: 14th September 2026.

11/08/2026

📢Shout out to local groups promoting sustainability in our community! The Westmill Solar Community Funding Grants Scheme is now open for applications! 🎉

Grants of up to £5,000 are available for charities, community groups, social enterprises, schools and other not-for-profit organisations delivering projects that tackle climate change, promote sustainability, reduce fuel poverty, and improve fair access to energy.

Eligible organisations within Oxfordshire or 25 miles of the Westmill site can apply - find out more and apply on our website: https://westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/community-funding/ -grant

Closing date for applications: 14th September 2026.

31/07/2026

Looking for something local to do for nature this weekend? Why not join the Big Butterfly Count? 🦋

You could even hold your own count at Westmill, where our work with nature means that we are lucky enough to find many insects in our wildflower meadows, including Marbled Whites, Skippers, Common Blues and Burnet Moths.

Find out more about how we protect nature and encourage biodiversity at Westmill on our website: https://westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/increase-biodiversity/

Join in with the survey on the Big Butterfly Count website: https://bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org/

Thanks to Hollie Blaydes for her beautiful photos of insects at Westmill 💚

28/07/2026

📢 The Westmill Energy summer newsletter, with news from Westmill, updates on our outreach work and stories from the sector, is out now!

Did you miss it? Sign up for the next edition here: https://lnkd.in/eF8Z_yY2

24/07/2026

Are you looking for an opportunity to develop new skills in sustainability whilst helping your community?

Westmill are proud to support the second Community Solar Foundation Course, from Big Solar Co-op, starting this September.

Designed for those interested in establishing new solar projects in their community, the course takes place over 3 months, with about 5 hours of study needed each week.

Developed with other organisations within the community energy sector, the course covers subjects such as grid, planning and structural issues, finances and funding and legal agreements and insurance . Learning is delivered through a combination of self-paced online modules, live seminars, group Zoom calls and practical project work.

Course fees are dependent on organisational size and bursaries are available.

Find out more and sign up on the Big Solar Coop website: https://bigsolar.coop/csf-course/

13/07/2026

📢 We are thrilled to announce that the annual Westmill Solar Co-operative Community Grant Funding Scheme is now open for applications!

The scheme is designed to support non-profit organisations looking for up to £5,000 towards a project which will benefit the community and aligns with our aims: climate change awareness, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, fuel poverty and energy equity.

Further details about eligibility and an application form can be found on our website: https://westmillenergy.coop/what-we-do/community-funding/

We are looking forward to supporting another collection of community groups to make a difference!

09/07/2026

🎉 Westmill was so delighted to see that the visionary founder of community-owned energy at Westmill, Adam Twine, was recognised in the King's recent Birthday Honours for services to community onshore wind 🍃

Often cited as a pioneer of the sector, Adam was inspired to start a wind farm at Westmill on a visit to Denmark, where he saw community-owned schemes being set up by farmers. Ten years, two planning applications, many public meetings and one key partnership with Energy4All later, Westmill Wind Farm Co-Operative was established.

With £4.4m raised in the initial share offer in January 2005, Westmill Wind became the first 100% community-owned wind farm in the south of England.

Planning permission and a second share offer quickly followed, with construction of the wind farm finally beginning on 21st July 2007. Generation- at last! - began on 19th February 2008.

Since then the wind farm has continued to inspire and excite community energy and renewables enthusiasts, welcoming it's 18,000th visitor to the site this year. A symbol of hope and the power of community, the legacy of Westmill Wind, and Adam's dream, lives on.

06/07/2026

🚨 Westmill Wind and Solar Co-operatives are proud to announce the appointment of Lisa Warne as our new Chief Executive Officer.

Lisa joins Westmill at a key juncture for community energy. As the policy and funding landscape continues to evolve, Westmill is well positioned to build on its pioneering legacy. Lisa’s experience will help shape the future of both our Wind and Solar Co-operatives as we continue to deliver benefits for our members, communities and the environment.

With a strong background in community engagement, environmental sustainability, and governance, Lisa is passionate about ensuring that the transition to clean energy delivers meaningful benefits to us all.

Lisa is looking forward to getting stuck into her new role:

"It’s a privilege to lead such a values-driven organisation at a time when community energy has never been more important. I'm particularly looking forward to working with our members, partners and the wider community to expand our impact and ensure that the benefits of renewable energy continue to be shared locally."

Please join us in welcoming Lisa to the Westmill Energy team. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and the vision she brings to the co-operatives. 🎉

25/06/2026

Be sure to sign up for these excellent workshops on community energy from Co-operatives UK

🙌 Community energy co-operatives have the power to change the world 🌍️

Our series of FREE webinars will help introduce and explore opportunities offered to through community energy – including the government's new Local Power Plan.

We have THREE fantastic webinars:
💡 1 July, 1pm: The power of community energy: An introduction. With Reading Hydro CBS Greater Manchester Community Renewables GMCR + WestmillEnergy
👷 7 July, 1pm: Generating green jobs. With RetrofitWorks Ltd + SELCE-South East London Community Energy
☀️ 13 July, 1pm: Community energy at scale. With Community Energy England Bristol Energy Cooperative + Energy4All

⚡️Join us to find out how community energy brings communities together through ownership of renewable energy assets and about the benefits this brings into the community: https://buff.ly/dbqMkZ1

The webinars are delivered by Co-operatives UK thanks to grant funding by The Co-operative Bank

10/06/2026

Looking for some peace and calm this weekend? Then make sure you join our one-of-kind sunset tour of Westmill this Friday!

Immerse yourself in nature, see us in a new light and learn all about what Westmill is about, how we got here and what we have planned for the future.

Only a few spaces left - book yourself on now: https://westmillenergy.coop/visit-westmill/