OnPath Energy relaunches Milton Keynes Wind Farm community fund

Community groups and environmental projects are being encouraged to put forward their ideas for using community funding generated by a longstanding Milton Keynes wind farm.

Leading UK renewable energy developer OnPath Energy has joined forces with Milton Keynes City Council and the Milton Keynes Community Foundation to relaunch the community fund linked to its Milton Keynes Wind Farm, which sits two miles to the east of the village of Emberton.

OnPath Energy purchased the seven-turbine wind farm at the beginning of 2025 and has since been looking at ways in which it can maximise the community value it delivers for local people.

The company directs around £7,000 of the revenues generated by the wind farm into the community fund every year, with around £40,000 currently held within it for which local groups can apply.

MK Community Foundation will manage the fund and assess applications, with priority being given to projects relating to green energy, sustainability and the environment.

The fund is ringfenced to the parishes of Emberton, Sherington, Olney, Clifton Reynes, Hardmead, Newton Blossomville, Astwood and Chicheley.

The Milton Keynes Wind Farm has been operational since 2010 and has an installed capacity of 14MW, which is enough to meet the average annual electricity needs of around 11,500 homes.

Will Smeeton, partnership and community manager at OnPath Energy, says: “Our wind farm funds are all designed to bring direct benefits to the places in which they’re located, with grants from the Milton Keynes Wind Farm Fund supporting some interesting and impactful local projects over the last 15 years.

Working with Milton Keynes City Council and the Milton Keynes Community Foundation will now enable us to take a far wider view of how the fund can make the biggest local impact, and we’re very much open to ideas for how the funds might be used to deliver further long-term community value.”

Will Smeeton, partnership and community manager

Cllr Keith McLean, who represents the Olney Ward on Milton Keynes City Council, adds: “I am very pleased that the administration of this significant social benefit fund has landed with Milton Keynes Community Foundation.

“Along with MKCC officers and OnPath Energy, I have worked with MKCF to implement a tried and tested grant application and approval process.

“I predict there will be several applications submitted soon after the start date in April and hope to see the benefits of any awards soon thereafter.”

Jake Geelan, philanthropy director at the Milton Keynes Community Foundation, says: “We’re proud to be working with OnPath Energy and Milton Keynes City Council on this project.

“Our Vital Signs research tells us that what communities here are still developing is the capacity to act together on environmental challenges.

“This fund is an opportunity to change that. We’re really looking forward to hearing from groups with suitable projects.”

Community projects in the vicinity of the Milton Keynes Wind Farm which are interested in applying for funding should first email applications@mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk for further information on the application process.