Shared power. Shared prosperity
Imagine an offshore wind farm powerful enough to light up a million homes, and owned, in part, by the very communities it powers.
That’s Project Collette: a 1.2 GW offshore wind farm planned off the coast of Cumbria. It’s designed to transform not just how we generate clean energy, but who shares in its rewards. Collette will prevent over a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year, create thousands of jobs, many rooted in local communities, and, for the first time, give communities and UK investors a real stake in Britain’s clean energy future.
Instead of profits flowing overseas, revenue will be reinvested locally, funding the projects and priorities chosen by the community itself.
This isn’t just another wind farm, it’s a blueprint for fair, large-scale community-powered energy.
By incubating Project Collette, the Hub is paving the way for communities to own a meaningful share not just of offshore wind, but of major renewable energy projects across the UK.
Now, imagine it’s 2035. Cumbria, together with the many communities and regions that believed in and invested in Project Collette, stands tall as a clean energy leader, showing what’s possible when communities lead the transition, not just witness it.
And you were one of the pioneers who helped make it happen.
Prosperity and power shared locally
Mission
To incubate the UK’s first community-led offshore wind farm, creating a blueprint for fairer, community-powered energy. Its a blueprint that goes beyond offshore wind. It puts local people and investors at the heart of renewable energy development from day one, sharing power, prosperity, and decision-making to build lasting community wealth.
Vision
A future where communities across the UK own a meaningful stake in the clean energy system, leading and co-investing in large-scale renewables, keeping value local, and driving a national movement for inclusive, sustainable energy.
Team & what we’re working on
Project team (2025)
Ciara Shannon (The Hub), Bruce Davies (The Hub & Abundance Investment), Mark Francis (Alpha GV), Clare Macgregor (Future Alternative), Marco Piola (Future Alternative), Conor Macken (SLR Consulting), Isabelle Najarre (SLR Consulting). Saskya Huggins (Make it Count), Paul Sutcliffe (Optimise Risk), Holly Woodhead (Evergreen Communications), Rory Black (Designworks), Lucy Gallagher (StudioLuce), Sally Moss and Emma Dickens.
Business plan
Developing Collette’s business plan, feasibility study, grid study, stakeholder and investor engagement and turning these into a robust plans for delivery.
Green finance & innovation
Evolving Collette’s finance model and Community Integrated Investment Model (CIIM), while developing bold new ideas like Project Collin and Sea Lords of the West.
Community engagement
Hosting events, workshops and building deeper relationships across West Cumbria and beyond to ensure the community remains at the heart of our work. Producing toolkits and guidance and updating our website.
Collette’s grants: 2024 -2025
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- The Climate Change Collaboration
- The Community Energy Fund (CEF) – Stage 1 and Stage 2. A government grant administered by Lancashire County Council and the North West Net Zero Hub.
With thanks: 2024-25
Elaine Shannon
