FAQ’s

Who owns Energy4All?
A limited company established by Baywind Energy Co-op to develop green energy schemes that are owned and operated by the local community. Energy4All is owned by the various wind Co-operatives around the UK.

Is someone available to speak with us from Energy4All?
If you would like to discuss a potential community wind farm or would like someone to speak at an event about sustainable energy or to visit a wind farm please contact our office and let us know your requirements Contact us.

What is Baywind?
Baywind Energy Co-operative is proud to be the first UK co-operative to own wind turbines.
After successfully raising £2 million through share offers in 1997, Baywind has over 1,200 members.
For almost 20 years we owned six wind turbines in Cumbria. Five of our wind turbines based at Harlock Hill in Cumbria were decommissioned in January 2016, to make way for 2 new high powered turbines belonging to our successor High Winds Community Energy Co-operative.
The Baywind Co-op has one remaining turbine located at Haverigg, in Cumbria.
During the life of the Baywind project we have actively sought opportunities for renewable energy schemes and would welcome discussions with developers and land owners seeking to involve local communities. Read more about us and our development company Energy4All.

How was Baywind formed?
Wind farm co-operative ownership in the UK was originally the idea of a Swedish wind farm developer who wished to replicate the success of community ownership schemes that dominate in countries such as Denmark and Germany. Seven local people from Cumbria formed the Baywind Energy Co-operative which originally bought two turbines at Harlock followed by a second share offer to purchase one turbine at Haverigg. A loan from the Co-operative Bank saw Baywind own the entire site of Harlock Hill

What is Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative?
Westmill is the first permitted wind farm in the South East. The share prospectus was launched in November 2005 and the wind farm is now fully operational.

How much does a share cost?
Shares cost one pound. The minimum investment level is set at £250 and the maximum at is £100,000, by law.

How will new co-operatives work?
Local residents in association with Energy4All will form new regional co-operatives. Funds will be raised from a public share offer to purchase wind turbines from a new project. The board will be formed from members and each member has an equal say in how the co-operative is run including the energy conservation and educational trust. Every year members will receive annual interest from their shares, after approval at the AGM and receive their share capital back at the end of the project lifetime, which is considered to be 25 years.

How can we join renewable energy co-ops?
Energy4All is working throughout England, Scotland and Wales to deliver community ownership of new renewable energy schemes. If you register your interest with Energy4All for a specific project we will be in touch as soon as a new share prospectus is available.

What is renewable energy?
Harnessing energy from inexhaustible fuel sources, such as wind, water and sun, to produce non-polluting, carbon neutral heat and power. This is the opposite of fossil fuel powered plants that create nearly a third of the UKs CO2 emissions, a greenhouse gas that contributes to catastrophic global warming.

How can I support sustainable energy schemes?
Join our list of potential members, switch to a green electricity tariff, reduce energy consumption at work and at home, and finally actively support wind projects near you via yes2wind.com

Is it easy to develop renewable projects?
Our landscape contains countless former hydro and wind mills that utilised the earths elements to produce power. Whilst the principles are the same today project development requires significant resource investment to bring schemes to fruition however, once a scheme is operational the benefits are considerable. The key barriers include access to information, project know how and risk capital as grant funding is not available for profit generating schemes.

What project is best?
Any size scheme or technology that is carbon neutral and produces no radioactive waste can provide a positive role in UK energy generation. Small-scale schemes, such as a 75kW turbine, greatly assist in overcoming public acceptance barriers and increase projects that developers may not explore due to scale, profitability or complexities. Meanwhile larger schemes can contribute to replacement of old nuclear and coal power stations therefore it is an argument of appropriateness that decides what scale and indeed what technology at site specific locations.

Who can I contact for further advice?
We are always happy to discuss opportunities with people who have a scheme they would like to be community owned. However we are not project developers.

Why promote community renewables?
Renewable energy offers local communities the opportunity to deliver their own sources of clean, green sustainable power through wind, water, biomass and solar resources, reduce carbon emissions and provide a new income source, particularly to remote rural areas.

Does Community participation increase renewable uptake?
The UK has the best wind resource in Europe yet one of the lowest uptakes of wind power. On the other hand Germany and Denmark, who have championed the concept of community ownership, are world leaders in terms of manufacturing capability and generation (22% of total capacity in Denmark). Local investment in renewable energy has played a determining role in their success through project financing and public participation.

What is a social Enterprise?
Social enterprises are organisations that achieve social or environmental aims primarily by trading. They can be key actors in regenerating deprived areas, provide alternative business models and create new models for public service delivery.

What is a co-operative?
An autonomous association of persons united voluntarily to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations through a jointly-owned and democratically controlled enterprise.’ The principles are essentially;
Open membership
Democratic control
A dividend on purchases
Limited interest on capital
Political and religious neutrality
Cash trading
Promotion of education
Co-operatives come in many shapes and forms from worker co-operatives to community and consumer co-operatives.