About Us

As a small, volunteer-run, organisation we are proud of the impact we have achieved at both a local and national level. Since our creation in 2009, we have:

• Facilitated the installation of 222 kWp of solar panels in West Oxford.
• Developed the Osney Lock Hydro project to investment-readiness.
• Provided £68,500 financial support to the registered charity Low Carbon West Oxford.
• Supported the set-up of Hogacre Common Eco Park, now a thriving independent organisation.
• Initiated the creation of the Low Carbon Hub to support community-owned renewable energy across Oxfordshire.
• Championed a partnership model that has been replicated by community groups around the country.

We have a supportive membership base, the vast majority of whom live or work in West Oxford. As well as relying on their financial support, WOCoRe has benefited from the enthusiasm and backing of our Members over the years. We have also had to show resilience and doggedness to overcome challenges arising from state-aid issues that arose after the installation of renewable energy technologies funded by a Department of Energy and Climate Change grant. Although WOCoRe was unable to retain direct ownership of many of the installations, the grant nevertheless enabled us to increase the amount of renewable energy generation in the area. We have recently bought back the largest of these arrays.