Directors of Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative were overwhelmed by the response to the share offer which closed yesterday, the 28th February with over 4 million sent in by members of the public wishing to support what will be the UKs largest community-owned wind farm in Watchfield, Oxfordshire.

Due to the overwhelming popularity of the co-operative it will be necessary to scale back some applications. Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative has promised that people living within a 50-mile radius of the site will have priority. Full details will be announced on 21st March and refund cheques will be posted on 28th March.
Harvey Tordoff Chairman said: "I am delighted that the Share Offer has been such a huge success and reached beyond our expectations.We would like to thank everyone who has responded with an application for shares and those who have supported this ground breaking scheme".

"We look forward to welcoming our new members on 28th April when the share certificates will be issued. Westmill co-op is a real example of true People Power as we move to the next stage in building the first on shore wind farm in the South East". Harvey also added

For those who missed this opportunity, dont be too despondent. Energy4All have plans to launch more share offers over the next few years for new wind farm co-ops in other parts of the country. People can register with Energy4All at www.energy4all.co.uk to receive a copy of the next prospectus. The co-operative achieved the maximum funding required to construct a five wind turbine wind farm supplemented by a bank loan after a three month share offer period, during which over 8,500 people requested a Share prospectus. Construction is due to start in the Summer of this year once the contract is awarded in April to one of the three firms who have placed bids to construct the site. The wind farm will generate enough clean energy to power thousands of homes.

Annual interest will be paid on members shares from trading surpluses from the sale of the electricity. Rates will vary according to financial performance. However, they are expected to be approximately five per cent annually in the first five years rising to an average of 12 per cent over the 25-year life of the project.

Each share is worth 1. The minimum investment was 250 and the maximum was 20,000. The original investment will be returned in full when the wind farm is decommissioned at the end of the 25-year duration of the scheme.