The award-winning HebCelt Festival has announced a dynamic new partnership with SSEN Transmission, which will see the company become a key sponsor of the internationally acclaimed summer event.
The funding agreement forms part of the electricity transmission network operator’s commitment to supporting local communities across the Highlands and Islands through its £20bn investment to upgrade the high-voltage transmission network in the north of Scotland.
As well as supporting local jobs and businesses, the investment is expected to result in over £100m in community benefit funding to support local projects across the north of Scotland - including in areas such as music and culture.
As part of its partnership with HebCelt, SSEN Transmission will have a strong presence at this year’s festival taking place from 16 - 19 July, where music fans will enjoy headline performances from Skerryvore, Tide Lines, Lulu, and a diverse line-up of acclaimed artists.
Festival-goers will be able to visit SSEN Transmission’s information and fan hub on Castle Green, where the team will be on hand to talk about major infrastructure projects – including plans for the ‘Lewis Hub’, a proposed new substation and converter station that is a key part of its Western Isles Connection Project.
The project will see the installation of a subsea HVDC transmission cable that will connect Lewis to the GB electricity grid for the first time, unlocking the renewable energy potential of the Western Isles in support of national clean energy and energy security ambitions, while providing significant economic opportunities for local communities.
The sponsorship will also provide practical support for the HebCelt volunteer crew, who will be kitted out in SSEN Transmission - branded t-shirts and hi-vis gear, while its logo will be visible at key festival locations and on event screens.
Carol Ferguson, HebCelt Festival Operations Coordinator, said: “SSEN Transmission’s commitment to our community is incredibly welcome and aligns perfectly with HebCelt’s ethos. “Their recognition of the value of live music and the cultural heartbeat of our islands is something we deeply appreciate. Together, we can help power careers, creativity, and conversations that stretch far beyond these shores. “This feels like a perfect partnership, and we’re delighted to welcome SSEN Transmission centre stage - hopefully for the first of many headline appearances.”
Colin Bell, SSEN Transmission’s Lead Project Manager for the Lewis Hub project, said: “We are delighted to sponsor the HebCelt Festival and lend our support to this much-loved and hugely popular highlight in the cultural calendar of the islands. “Through our Lewis Hub project we are committed to delivering a lasting and positive legacy for communities in the Western Isles, and our partnership with HebCelt is testament to our support for activities and initiatives that bring benefits to communities and to the local economy. “We’re looking forward to engaging with people at this year’s festival, and sharing the enjoyment of what promises to be another entertaining event drawing visitors from across the world.”
Last year’s HebCelt drew over 17,800 attendees, with the average visitor staying for eight days in Lewis and Harris. According to post-event research, 67% of festival-goers cited HebCelt as the primary reason for their trip, highlighting the event’s pivotal role in the local economy.
Thanks to a three-year funding package from Creative Scotland, HebCelt is now looking ahead to its milestone 30th anniversary in 2027, and looking for other high-calibre sponsorship partners to join the milestone moment.
This year’s line-up features an impressive roster of artists including Brit-Award winning Eddi Reader, Nina Nesbitt, Kassidy, Beluga Lagoon, Trail West, Laura Silverstone, Josie Duncan, The Tumbling Souls, and Donnie Dòtaman, alongside returning favourites and fresh talent over multiple stages.