Member Questions
When will I receive my share interest?
You will receive share interest on an annual basis. The accounts will be approved at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year and share interest will be issued up to 8 weeks later.
Can I sell / transfer my shares?
We have a sale and transfer policy; therefore, you can sell or transfer your shares, however there are restrictions. If you sell or transfer before the AGM you will not receive your share interest for that year. If you would like further information please email info@westmill.coop.
Can I buy more shares?
If you are a member of Westmill Wind Farm you can apply to purchase more shares. Shares only become available if another member decides to sell or if they pass away. If you are interested purchasing more shares please email info@westmill.coop with your details.
What happens if I die?
A member’s shares in the Co-op are treated just like any other asset if someone dies.
What is the relationship with Energy4All?
Energy4All provide management, bookkeeping, wind farm monitoring and membership administration through a service agreement with Westmill. You can contact Energy4All through email info@energy4all.co.uk
What is the relationship with Westmill Solar?
Westmill solar are a separate co-op. We have close relations and both Coops support WeSET the independent charity established by WWF in 2008.
Who are the Board of Directors and how are they chosen?
The current board of directors can be viewed here . The Rules of Westmill state that one third of the Board of Directors must retire each year. Board Members are elected to the board by the members at the AGM through either a ballot or a motion.
How do I apply to join the board of directors?
As a member of Westmill Wind you can apply to join the board of directors. If you are interested in becoming a director, please email info@westmill.coop with a brief resume.
Wind Farm Questions
Where is the wind farm site?
In Watchfield Nr Swindon, located on the Oxfordshire/Wiltshire border. The postcode is SN6 8TH.
Can I visit the Site?
Yes you can, Westmill Sustainability Trust (WeSET) organise site visits please visit www.weset.org or email: education@weset.org
Who Set up Westmill Wind Farm?
Pioneered by farmer Adam Twine. Adam was inspired by a trip to Denmark where 20% of the country’s renewable energy generators are owned by communities. Once the planning hurdle was overcome, Adam approached Energy4All who then created the Westmill co-operative and produced a public share offer to allow the wind farm to be community owned. Around 2,400 people opted to buy shares in the five turbines; about half living locally and feeling they have ownership of renewable energy production in their area.
How much did it cost to build WWF?
The 5 turbines in 2008 cost £5.1 million; other costs including balance of plant, underground connection to the local electricity grid and project management brought the total cost to £7.3 million.
Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative, 100% community owned from commissioning, generates enough annual electricity for over 3,000 homes (Ofgem 2017), earning around £1 million income for WWF.
How big is a WWF wind turbine?
• Ground to Nacelle hub : 49m • Length of blade : 30m
• Diameter of rotor : 62m • Tip height : 81m
• Tower : 54 tonnes • Nacelle : 46 tonnes
• Rotor : 30 tonnes • Total : 130 tonnes (Family car 2 tonnes)
How much power can a WWF turbine produce?
When the wind is over 12 m/s at hub height each turbine will generate 1.3MW (1MW = 1,000 kW) of electricity (the design maximum power). It begins to generate some power when the wind speed exceeds 3 m/s. Above 12 m/s wind speeds mean that the turbine blades have to “feather” (i.e. there are motors which turn the blade angle to “lose” some of the wind and maintain 1.3 MW generation). Finally, for wind speeds in excess of 25 m/s (severe gale), the machine turns into the wind and a parking brake is applied. Severe gales are not common in Oxfordshire and the average annual wind speed is 6.3m/s.
How is a WWF turbine controlled?
Right at the top of each turbine nacelle hub is a weather vane and there is also an anemometer at the tail of Nacelle which measures the speed of the wind. The turbine uses the output from the vane to turn the turbine fully into the wind and the output from the anemometer to decide whether to start or stop and what angle to pitch the blade to maintain maximum output.
Westmill Sustainability Trust - WeSET
Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust (WeSET) was established in 2009 following the construction of the wind turbines at Westmill Farm, in February 2008 by the Westmill Windfarm Co-operative. WeSET is fortunate to be closely connected with great talent, enthusiasm and foresight at a unique site generating clean, green energy from both sun and wind.
The Objects of WeSET are:
Promoting the deployment of sustainable energy
Promoting education about sustainable energy
Promoting energy efficiency
Providing grants to others to achieve these aims
For further information visit www.weset.org/
Do you have any involvement with local schools?
We regularly have visits from local school children to the windfarm. Visits are organised by WeSET (Westmill Sustainable Energy Trust) and are tailored for all age groups and cover a wide variety of curriculum subjects. Local school children were involved in naming the wind turbines.
Co-operative Model
How does a Co-op work?
Co-ops are run on the basic principles of democracy, fairness and ethical behaviour. Everyone who invested in Westmill Wind is a member.Each member has a single vote at General Meetings of the Co-op. In other respects, the Co-op is like any business and seeks to run efficiently and profitably. Further information regarding Co-op values can be found here
