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Published 22/05/2025 by Kathleen Stewart 3 min read
More than 30 businesses from the Highlands and Islands gathered at All-Energy exhibition and conference 2025 at Glasgow’s SEC 13-14 May. Representing a range of expertise in renewables and low-carbon innovations, the region made a strong impression. In this blog, we catch up with Kathleen Stewart, area team lead for Innse Gall, to hear her insights and reflections from the event floor.
It’s always a privilege to represent the Outer Hebrides at All-Energy, and this year’s event left me feeling more optimistic than ever about the role that our islands play in Scotland’s renewable future.
Our islands are home to some of the most abundant renewable resources in Europe. From onshore wind to hydrogen developments, the Outer Hebrides have a pivotal role to play. There are community-led renewable energy initiatives across the islands, which play an important role in building economic and social resilience within our communities.
Over the next decade, the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides is set to see major investment in renewable energy. Proposed projects include a 1.8GW HVDC interconnector, up to 450MW of onshore wind, and 2.8GW of offshore wind projects. A green hydrogen production hub is also planned, potentially leading to high-volume hydrogen or ammonia exports. Collectively, this programme of developments could bring the largest-ever private sector investment in the Outer Hebrides, alongside UK and Scottish Government-backed initiatives.
Operational for a year now, the multi-purpose deep-water terminal in Stornoway ensures that our area is ready to meet the needs of industries like renewable energy, ensuring that the islands play a key role in this sector. Its capacity to accommodate large-scale vessels and support construction, operations and maintenance activity puts the Outer Hebrides firmly on the map as a renewable energy gateway.
In collaboration with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, UHI North, West and Hebrides and Stornoway Port, we were proud to launch Outer Hebrides: Powering our Future. This initiative outlines all major planned renewable energy projects, highlights opportunities for investment and – if approved – shows the potential for long-term skilled employment on the islands. Our goal is to keep local communities fully informed, ensure local businesses can actively participate in supply chains and make project details easily accessible – placing our communities at the heart of these transformative developments.
Events like All-Energy help to showcase our local capabilities and link it with national and international momentum.
Read here to hear about insights from Orkney's team lead, Ruth Kirkpatrick at All-Energy.
Read here about Andrew Gear from HIE's Shetland team's visit to All-Energy.
Area Team Lead for HIE's Innse Gall Area Team
Kathleen Stewart is area team lead for HIE Innse Gall area team. She has worked at HIE since 2016 in a variety of roles within the area team including head of enterprise support. Born and brought up in Lewis, she is a graduate from the University of Glasgow (MA Hons in Economics) and started her career in a variety of business development and commercial roles in the private sector.
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