Stornoway wind farm developer signs three-year sponsorship commitment with HebCelt Festival
Community groups in the Western Isles are being invited to apply for a share of the Lewis Wind Power sponsorship fund, which opens for applications today (Thursday 19 December).
In addition to the £12,500 fund, aimed to cater for small-scale grants for local projects and initiatives, Lewis Wind Power (LWP) has signed a three-year commitment with HebCelt Festival for sponsorship of the LWP Islands Stage. This will be the tenth year that LWP has sponsored the Festival, which takes place from 16 to 19 July 2025.
LWP is a partnership between EDF Renewables UK and ESB to develop the consented 33-turbine Stornoway wind farm, with a capacity of up to 200MW. Once operational the wind farm would generate enough low carbon electricity to power approximately 115,000 homes*.
The annual sponsorship fund has been running for a number years and in 2024 over 15 local groups received money, including the Volunteer Centre Western Isles; Marybank and Maryhill Community Association; and Stornoway Historical Society.
Since 2003, LWP has worked closely with Stornoway Trust and the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Once the wind farm is operational a community benefit fund of around £1million will supersede the sponsorship fund.
Logan Black of Lewis Wind Power commented: “We are pleased to be able to offer local community groups and initiatives the chance to share of the 2025 Sponsorship Fund. It has been great to see some of the projects that have benefitted in recent years and the positive impact it is making locally in the Western Isles.
“We have seen first hand the positive impact the HebCelt Festival has year after year on the local economy and local businesses and are delighted to have signed a three-year commitment to continue our support for the Festival.”
Iain MacPhail, Chair of the HebCelt Board, commented: “We have worked with LWP for over 10 years now, and are hugely grateful for their continued support of the Festival, particularly as we progress towards our 30th anniversary in 2027.
“This year’s Festival drew in over 17,800 attendees and contributed £4 million to the local economy, further cementing its place as a must-attend event in Scotland’s summer calendar.”
To apply for the Fund, groups can fill out the form at lwp.scot and email it to info@lwp.scot before 5pm on Thursday 30 January for consideration.