A number of local projects and initiatives on the Western Isles, from school groups to a foodbank and children’s summer club, will benefit from over £12,500 of funding over the coming months thanks to donations from Lewis Wind Power (LWP).
Lewis Wind Power is a partnership between EDF Renewables UK and ESB and is the developer of Stornoway wind farm. LWP opened its 2025 sponsorship fund for applications at the end of last year, with 17 organisations now set to benefit from a share of the funding. This is in addition to confirmation of sponsorship of the Islands Stage at the HebCelt Festival for the tenth year.
This includes part-funding for a number of initiatives, including Eilean Siar Foodbank, funding tutors for Sharon Macdonald School of Highland Dance, refurbishment of the West Side War Memorial, and sponsoring Lewis Pipe Band for the 2025 Pipe Band World Championships.
Lewis Wind Power has supported the local community with this fund for a number of years and has previously supported groups such as Lewis Camanachd and Lochs Show, Hebrides Mountain Rescue and Stornoway Science Fair.
Logan Black, Project Manager for Stornoway wind farm said: “We are thrilled to see so many local organisations and initiatives benefiting from our 2025 sponsorship fund. From providing crucial resources to supporting local cultural and educational projects, we hope this funding will make a meaningful impact across the community. We’re proud to continue our support for different kinds of community groups, ensuring people of all ages, backgrounds, and interests benefit from these donations.”
Stornoway wind farm is a consented 33-turbine wind farm with a capacity of up to 200MW, located to the west of Stornoway. The project would generate enough low carbon electricity to power approximately 115,000 homes*.
Since 2003, Lewis Wind Power has worked closely with Stornoway Trust and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar on the project.
Ends
*Load factors based on the five year rolling averages on unchanged configuration basis using Table 6.5 of ‘Digest of UK Energy Statistics’ – latest figures as per July 2022 release
A full list of awards is detailed below:
| Organisation Name | Project | Award (£) |
| LHYCA – Scaladale | Money towards sports equipment for under 16s Summer Club during the school holidays | £700 |
| Stornoway Primary School | Enhancing physical activity and outdoor learning through new sports equipment, including adaptive resources to make accessible for all. | £700 |
| Stramash Festival | Contribution to the running of the free music festival | £150 |
| Comunn Na Gaidhlig | BRAG summer activities | £500 |
| Failte Centre | Transport for older people in the community to attend a weekly lunch club to socialise and meet people in a warm and safe environment. | £1,000 |
| Stornoway Running Club (SRAC) | Sponsorship of material for the Club’s mini marathon to promote inclusivity and community spirit | £1,000 |
| Lewis Pipe Band | Accommodation and travel to the World Championships 2025 Pipe Band | £1,000 |
| Volunteer Centre, Western Isles | Islands Impact Volunteering for All project to encourage more people on the Western Isles to volunteer and make a positive impact to the community. | £800 |
| Stornoway Historical Society | Funding to product an easy to follow form of cemetery inscriptions and lair layout | £400 |
| West Side Football and Rec Club | Snack Cabin Project – funding towards a new area for members to socialise and a safe space to shelter from the elements, sustaining the life of the football club and encouraging new members. | £700 |
| Sharon Macdonald School of Highland dance | Funding for dance tutors | £350 |
| West Side War Memorial | Refurbishement of the area surroudning the West Side War Memorial to make it more pleasant and easier for those with reduced mobility to visit. | £1,000 |
| OH!CON CIC | Contribution towards the running costs of 2025 OH!CON to deliver creative learning events for people of all ages. | £500 |
| Western Isles Island Games Association | Support towards attendance at International Island Games in Orkney in 2025. | £1,700 |
| Eilean Siar Foodbank | Enabling Eilean Siar Food Bank to continue to provide food and emergency items to local people and creation of a leaflet to households in the area. | £1,000 |
| Western Isles Community Society | Stornoway cultural heritage mural trail – murals across Stornoway depicting the area’s history and breathe new life into buildings | £1,000 |