The 4.1 MW wind farm, located at Leonard’s Hill, is Australia’s first community owned wind farm, comprising of two turbines, Gale and Gusto, which produce enough clean energy to power 2000 homes.

Hepburn Wind was listed among the Best of the World list, administered by not-for-profit organisation B Lab.

The wind farm was included in three categories; best for community, environment and overall.

The lists are composed of the top 10 per cent international certified B corporations.

All of the organisations and cooperatives on the list have been judged on the outcome of the B impact assessment, which measures a company’s impact on its workers, the wider community, its customers and the environment.

To be certified as a B corporation, a company must complete a detailed assessment, verified by B Lab.

The B impact assessment involves a community component, which evaluates a company’s supplier relations, diversity and involvement in the community in which it is situated. It also involves an environmental component, which measures a company’s environmental performance in terms of its facilities, materials, emissions, resource and energy use.

Those scoring in the top 10 per cent set a gold standard for how other businesses can be a force for good in other communities.

Hepburn Wind was listed in the top 10 percent as a result of its practices like its community fund, renewable energy generation and co-operative structure.

Hepburn Wind manager Taryn Lane said the company was ecstatic at the news. 

“We are so excited to be among such a talented collection of businesses, co-operatives and companies. Awards like this are a recognition of the many volunteers and staff hours that have made our organisation so impactful,” she said.

From more than 90 industries and 34 countries, 226 companies were featured on the best for community list. On the best of the world list, 67 other Australian companies were listed. 

To celebrate, the community organisation shared a B-Corp cake made by local provedore Spade to Blade.