Community Fund

High Winds (through both of it's wind farm sites, Harlock Hill & Mean Moor) donates a portion of it's profits each year to the Baywind Community Energy Trust (BWECT). BWECT are a charity who support local schools, community organisations and other charities in energy saving and educational initiatives. If you have an initiative in mind, please visit their website and use the application form.

We have also provided funding directly through our society to local organisations that the Board considers vital to the community. This began during the Coronavirus pandemic, when we saw a need to support a wider range of organisations including Barrow Foodbank, Ulverston Food Waste Project, South Lakes Credit Union and Barrow Credit Union.

We support communities close to the wind farm sites: this includes (but is not limited to) Ulverston, Barrow and the Furness peninsula.

You can find out about some of the projects we have funded in the case studies below, or read our full history of grant funding awards.

Total funds donated to BWECT

Total funds distributed directly by High Winds to our local communities

Baywind Community Energy Trust

The Trustees meet on average three times a year to grant funding for renewable energy, energy efficiency measures and fuel poverty in Furness area. To find out more about the Trust’s activities click here.

Baywind Community Trust are also looking for new trustees especially from younger residents local to Pennington, Swarthmoor, Lindal or Ulverston etc. If you wish to be involved please contact Helen Slater c/o High Winds Community Energy Society or Energ4All Limited on 01229 821028 or email info@energy4all.co.uk

£242,000 to build a new Community Space in Ulverston

Nine community spaces in Ulverston have closed over the last decide. In 2024, the community took matters into their own hands to buy the town’s old auction mart to turn it into ‘The Spot’ community building. After another source of funding fell through, High Winds stepped in to fill the gap, donating £242,000 to make the project happen.

The Spot will house the Ulverston Food Project as well as a small hall, meeting rooms and festival workshop space.

John Millen, a Director at High Winds, said: “High Winds were pleased to give a significant grant to The Spot as we saw a fantastic opportunity for linking our work of generating clean, local renewable energy high above Ulverston with supporting the community below. The team at The Spot really impressed us with their ambition to provide a new, much needed community space in the heart of our bustling and vibrant town. We look forward to seeing the transformation and its impact.”