Westmill Co-op Established
March 1, 2004
Westmill Wind Farm was the vision and investment by the land owner and farmer Adam Twine. Adam was inspired by a trip to Denmark where 20% of the country’s renewable energy generators are owned by communities. The site was negotiated through the planning process by Adam with the whole process taking 13 years. During the process Adam joined forces with Energy4All who helped in the latter stages of the planning process. Adam created a local support group WOW (Wind Over Westmill). Adam and the support group worked hard to provide information, answer questions and counter some of the widespread misinformation about the project (including exhibitions in nearby towns and villages, organising public meetings, participating in debates, stalls at a dozen local shows and fetes, giving talks to local groups and open days on site In 2004 Energy4All (created by Baywind Energy Co-op) formed Westmill Wind Farm Co-op and in 2005 produced a public offer document and raised £4.6m from almost 2,400 members to build the site. After…
Read moreProspectus Published
January 11, 2005
November 2005 – prospectus for Westmill Co-op was published; it would be the first wind farm co-operative in the South of England. It offered to give local people, as a matter of priority, and others, an opportunity to invest in the production of renewable energy. While trading as a commercial organisation, Westmill Co-op would strive to promote Cooperative Values and Principles.
Read moreWork on the wind farm started
July 21, 2007
Work started on the first wind farm in the South East at Watchfield near Swindon in July 2007 with completion on target in January 2008.
Read moreTwo Turbines Generating
February 1, 2008
The first two turbines began generating electricity on the 19 February 2008 with the remaining three by the end of the month.
Read moreIndependent Sustainable Energy Trust
May 1, 2008
Members voted to establish an independent sustainable energy trust (to become known as WeSET) with guaranteed annual funding from the turnover of WWF.
Read moreThe Grand Opening of Westmill
May 3, 2008
Over 600 members and guests attended the grand opening of Westmill wind farm. Jonathon Porritt, Chair of the Sustainable Development Commission, officially opened the ceremony.
Read moreWeSET Established
April 10, 2009
WeSET established as a charity with the objective to promote and encourage the deployment of sustainable energy with a focus on a 25 mile radius of WWF turbines. Click here for further information
Read moreNaming of the turbines
June 1, 2010
WWF’s five turbines are named by children from five local schools. The turbine names (and schools who named them) are: 1 Wind Warrior Longcot and Fernham Primary School 2 Gusty Gizmo Southfield Junior School 3 Spinner X Watchfield Primary School 4 Huff’n’Puff Shrivenham Church of England Primary School 5 Zeus South Marston Church of England School
Read moreWestmill Solar
June 1, 2011
Solar site is completed and energised and shares the same electricity connections as WWF to the local distribution grid
Read moreSolar Site Completed
June 1, 2011
Solar site is completed and energised and shares the same electricity connections as WWF to the local distribution grid
Read moreFunded the Insulation of Watchfield Village Hall roof
June 30, 2014
Westmill Co-op, via WeSET, funds the insulation of the Watchfield Village Hall roof.
Read moreReturn of Members Capital
July 1, 2014
First return of member’s capital to members – 15 pence of the original £1 share investment. The average return on capital to members is 3.45% per annum.
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Funding Solar Panels on Watchfield Sports Pavilion.
October 6, 2015
Westmill Co-op, via WeSET, funds the installation of photo voltaic panels on the roof of Watchfield Sports Pavilion.
Read moreFirst Joint AGM with Westmill Solar
May 7, 2016
First joint AGM of WWF and Westmill Solar Co-ops.
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