HebCelt Festival Partners with SSEN Transmission in £20 Billion Upgrade Commitment

Strategic Insights -

The award-winning HebCelt Festival has announced a partnership with SSEN Transmission, the electricity transmission network operator, to support local communities in the Highlands and islands of Scotland. As part of the agreement, SSEN Transmission will have a strong presence at this year's festival, headlined by Skerryvore, Tide Lines, and Lulu, among other notable acts. The partnership forms part of SSEN Transmission's £20 billion investment to upgrade the high-voltage transmission network in the north of Scotland, including the proposed "Lewis Hub" substation and converter station.

Key Takeaways:

  • The partnership between HebCelt Festival and SSEN Transmission will see the electricity transmission network operator become a key sponsor of the event, aligning with its commitment to supporting local communities in the Highlands and islands.
  • SSEN Transmission will have a strong presence at the festival, including an information and fan hub on Castle Green, where the team will discuss major infrastructure projects such as the Western Isles Connection Project.
  • The Western Isles Connection Project involves the installation of a subsea HVDC transmission cable to connect Lewis to the GB electricity grid for the first time.
  • HebCelt festival operations co-ordinator Carol Ferguson expressed the festival's appreciation for SSEN Transmission's commitment to the community, highlighting the alignment of values between the two organizations.
  • Colin Bell, SSEN Transmission's lead project manager for the Lewis Hub project, stated the company's delight in sponsoring the HebCelt Festival and its enthusiasm for engaging with attendees.
  • Last year's HebCelt drew over 17,800 attendees, with 67% citing the festival as the primary reason for their trip, highlighting its significant economic impact on the local community.
  • HebCelt is now seeking additional high-calibre sponsorship partners as it looks towards its milestone 30th anniversary in 2027.

Sources:

  • HebCelt Festival press release dated June 2022
  • SSEN Transmission website, "Western Isles Connection Project"
  • Creative Scotland website, "HebCelt Festival"