*You must be a member of Westmill Wind or Westmill Solar to be eligible to apply for the Westmill Trading Dividend*
Introduction
Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar are pioneering co-operatives. One of our long-term goals is to enable members to buy the electricity that we collectively generate. The Trading Dividend is another step along this path. The concept was supported by over 70% of Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar members (324 out of 451 responses) when questioned as part of a survey in late 2020.
What is the Trading Dividend?
The Trading Dividend is a payment to members for purchasing the electricity we produce. It is similar to the vouchers provided by retail co-ops to their members. Our Trading Dividend will be paid as a credit on the electricity bills of those members of Westmill Solar and Westmill Wind who buy their electricity through Your Co-op Energy’s Co-op Community Power Tariff.
Initially the Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar boards have each proposed an annual ‘flat rate’ dividend of £15 per member household. The amount of the Trading Dividend will be discussed and agreed each year at the Westmill Solar and Westmill Wind Annual General Meetings. More information on the Trading Dividend can be found here
Background
The Westmill Wind and Westmill Solar boards have sought to create a closer connection between the electricity we generate and the electricity used by our members. It is something that members have requested previously. It also enhances member economic participation, one of the seven guiding principles espoused by the International Co-operative Alliance.
Another of the ICA’s principles is co-operation among co-operatives and Your Co-op Energy’s Co-op Community Power Tariff offers electricity sourced from around 90 community generators, including Westmill Solar and Westmill Wind.
If you are a Westmill Wind Farm member click here to find out more information on the Co-op Community Power Tariff.
If you are a Westmill Solar and a Westmill Wind Farm member click here to find out more information on the Co-op Community Power Tariff.
Pilot
We sent out a survey at the end of 2020 and invited 81 interested members to take part in a pilot to help us shape the Trading Dividend before its rollout to all members. The survey and the pilot provided valuable feedback on how to improve and simplify the scheme.
How to apply
If you are a Westmill Wind Farm member and interested in signing up to the Trading Dividend then please click here
If you are a Westmill Solar and a Westmill Wind Farm member and interested in signing up to the Trading Dividend then please click here
You will be routed to a landing page facilitated by Your Co-op Energy that will enable you to sign up to the Co-op Community Power Tariff and become eligible for the Trading Dividend. This landing page has been created specifically for this initiative. If you would like to sign up to the Trading Dividend online then you can only do so via this landing page.