HebCelt and Lewis Wind Power (LWP) partnered to deliver the LWP Islands Stage – a platform dedicated to emerging and local musicians from across the Outer Hebrides. With Fund support, the partnership expanded its cultural and environmental impact, nurturing young talent, increasing community engagement, and advancing the festival’s sustainability credentials. The collaboration brought strong visibility for LWP while supporting HebCelt’s mission to celebrate Gaelic culture, creativity, and island identity. Lewis Wind Power is the developer of Stornoway wind farm, a partnership between EDF power solutions UK and ESB.
The LWP Islands Stage forms a central strand of HebCelt’s commitment to supporting emerging musicians, particularly young performers from Fèis Eilean an Fhraoich. The partnership aims to:
Fund investment enhanced the sponsorship, enabling additional engagement activity, expanded programming, and improved visibility for both parties.
• 12 performances delivered on the LWP Islands Stage, over half by local or emerging artists. • Participation from 178 young people and performers. • Live audience of 18,500 across four days.
• Over 25,000 reusable eco cups issued reducing single-use plastic. • LWP branding reached festival-goers sustainably through everyday cup usage.
• 300+ pieces of media coverage. • Over 4.5 million combined social video views. • Full-page brochure advert, posters, website placement, stage banners and site-wide signage. • LWP-branded glowsticks distributed to families. • Sponsor receptions during HebCelt 2025 and planned for January 2026.
“Lewis Wind Power’s sponsorship enables us to celebrate local culture, support emerging talent, and engage our community in meaningful and lasting ways… championing our shared commitment to creativity, environmental care, and community spirit”
Ian McPhail, Chair, HebCelt
“LWP, the developer of Stornoway Wind Farm on the Isle of Lewis, is a 50:50 joint venture between ESB and EDF power solutions UK and Ireland. With proposals for Stornoway Wind Farm having been in development since 2003, LWP is progressing towards pre-development works for the wind farm which, once delivered, will make a significant contribution towards Scotland’s net zero targets.”
Why did Lewis Wind Power choose to sponsor Hebridean Celtic Festival?
HebCelt is deeply rooted in the communities we serve. Supporting the festival allowed us to invest in local culture, celebrate island talent and contribute to an event that brings people together while reflecting our long-term commitment to the Outer Hebrides.
What value did the partnership bring to your organisation?
The partnership gave us meaningful visibility in a positive, trusted cultural setting. It allowed us to engage directly with local communities and festival audiences while reinforcing our values around sustainability, inclusion and community benefit.
How did sustainability feature in the collaboration?
Sustainability was central to the partnership. The reusable eco-cup initiative significantly reduced single-use plastic and aligned closely with our environmental goals, while also providing a highly visible, practical way to promote positive behaviour change.
What impact did the partnership have beyond the project itself?
Supporting emerging musicians and young performers helped build long-term cultural capacity in the islands. The professional content created through the partnership also continues to be used by both organisations, extending its impact well beyond the festival weekend.
Would you recommend cultural partnerships to other businesses?
Yes, when done thoughtfully, partnerships like this create shared value, supporting culture, strengthening communities and delivering genuine engagement for businesses in a way that feels authentic and lasting.
Young performers gained confidence, skills and professional stage experience. Strengthened the local creative economy by giving emerging artists access to a large audience. Reinforced Gaelic language and traditional arts through workshop activity.
LWP significantly enhanced brand visibility in a positive cultural context. Association with sustainability initiatives demonstrated corporate values and environmental responsibility. Professionally produced video content now provides LWP with a long-term asset.
Reinforced community pride and participation through accessible programming International exposure for Outer Hebrides culture 18,500 attendees reached
