The Leader of Swindon Borough Council visited the UK headquarters of energy firm RWE at Windmill Hill last week. Around 1,300 people are employed at the site.
The visit focused on the scale of operations managed from Swindon and the town’s role in supporting the national electricity system.
RWE has operated from Swindon for around 25 years, originally under the name Npower, and is now part of a global energy group headquartered in Germany. Its power stations, wind farms and offshore projects are spread across the UK and Europe.
Council leaders were told that Swindon acts as a central base for operational, technical and strategic teams. These teams oversee major infrastructure and renewable energy projects.
During the briefing, RWE stated that it supplies around 13 per cent of the UK’s electricity and that staff based in Swindon help manage thousands of wind turbines across Europe.
The visit comes as RWE increases its national profile. The company was recently named the largest single winner in the UK’s Allocation Round seven offshore wind auction, securing new capacity for future projects.
Councillor Jim Robbins, Leader of Swindon Borough Council, said the visit highlighted the importance of the company’s presence in the town.
“It was fascinating to see first-hand the scale of the work RWE is doing here in Swindon and the vital role it plays in providing energy to the National Grid,” he said.
“Having such a major international business rooted in our borough for 25 years is something we can be very proud of.”
He said the company’s investment reflected the council’s wider ambitions.
“The company’s investment in renewable energy, hydrogen and carbon capture shows how Swindon is helping to shape a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, while providing high-quality jobs, which is at the heart of our greener and better Swindon missions.”
Tom Glover, RWE’s UK Country Chair, said the Swindon base supports projects across the country.
“The expertise based here supports projects right across the country and demonstrates the national impact of what is delivered from Swindon,” he said.
“We are investing for the long term in secure, home-powered electricity, and our operational and development projects are helping to strengthen the UK’s electricity system while supporting the transition to a lower-carbon future.”
While RWE’s operational base is in Swindon, much of the construction and supply chain activity linked to renewable energy projects takes place elsewhere. This highlights the challenge of ensuring that the presence of major employers delivers long-term local resilience.
For the council, the relationship reinforces Swindon’s reputation as a location capable of supporting nationally significant businesses. For RWE, it reflects the value of a stable local base and close engagement with local government.
