Baywind Energy Co-operative Ltd operated the Harlock Hill windfarm at Pennington from 1997 – 2015. As a voluntary condition for obtaining planning consent for the windfarm at Harlock Hill, Baywind offered to set up a fund to provide energy saving measures for residents in the area of the site.
In September 1998 the Declaration of Trust was signed, founding Baywind Energy Conservation Trust (BWECT).
The aim of BWECT is “To promote the conservation of energy through advice and education on energy efficiency including energy-efficient products and to make grants to such persons or organisations as the Trustees shall see fit in order to promote and encourage the conservation of energy”.
Baywind pledged 0.5% of the annual cash income from Harlock Hill to BWECT for disbursement in the Harlock Hill area. This has amounted to around £30,000 between 1997-2011. From 2011 the annual amount was increased to £2,500 per year.
In 2004 the Trust successfully obtained a £5,000 grant from the LA21 Fund. The grant was used towards the cost of loft and cavity wall insulation in homes around the Ulverston area.
How do the trustees operate the fund?
BWECT trustees meet twice a year to decide how to use the funds. Trustees have been nominated by Baywind and Pennington Parish Council, but membership is open and the Trust is completely independent. For the future the Trust wishes to target more substantial individual grants to households in the immediate area of Harlock Hill, for provision of low energy bulbs and home heat insulation measures. BWECT funds presently stand at over £6,000.
The trustees have approved grants to organisations and community buildings to help towards the costs of refurbishment such as double glazing and low energy lighting.
Requests for grants, ideas for energy saving schemes and volunteers to join BWECT please contact us.
Recent Grant Awards
Top of the Form
BWECT supported the graduate community at BAE Systems 2012 Top of the Form Competition by donating £200.
Top of the Form, named after the popular BBC series, is a competition whereby pupils from local schools compete against each other in their knowledge and understanding of four key subjects Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM). The competition is designed to challenge pupils perceptions of these subjects and encourage them to embark on successful careers within these areas. To read more please click here
Dalton Community Association
BWECT awarded a grant of £5,000. This group have taken over Dalton Drill Hall and are energetically converting it to a multi-purpose building used by over 500 people a week. The grant was used to purchase energy saving products.
The Drop Zone Youth Club Barrow
BWECT awarded a grant of £500. The grant was used to purchase energy efficient fluorescent lighting.
Swarthmoor Sports & Community Club
BWECT awarded a grant of £3,711.36. The grant was used to purchase an energy efficient boiler.
