WOMAD is partnering with green energy company Grid Faeries x Ecotricity to power its main stage with batteries using 100 per cent green energy from the wind and sun, removing the need for diesel generators.

In 2024, Ecotricity first launched Grid Faeries and powered WOMAD’s Charlie Gillet Stage, one of the festival’s smaller stages. The batteries had a capacity of 3MWh, the equivalent energy used to power an average of 2,800 homes for one hour.  Now, WOMAD is upscaling its partnership, using the full capacity of the batteries to power its main stage. This year additional wind turbines have been added alongside the solar panels to help replenish the batteries when they’re in use onsite.

Chris Smith, WOMAD festival director, said: “This is an exciting new landmark on our continuing journey to reduce WOMAD’s emissions and make the festival truly sustainable. We’re all attuned to global events, particularly the impact the conflict in the Middle East is having on energy, and its knock-on effect on the cost of living.  If we want this incredible festival to run for another 40 years then we have to pursue and establish long-term solutions that power the event sustainably and reliably. We have a longstanding relationship with Ecotricity and grid faeries is building an impressive track record in powering major events using renewables, making them the perfect partner.”

Claire O’Neill, co-founder of A Greener Future, said: “Grid Faeries are here to take diesel out of events. Our battery with additional solar and windmills replace more than 1200ltrs of diesel. To put it into perspective, that’s enough power to boil the equivalent of 30,000 kettles – enough for 120,000 cups of tea! With thousands of people attending events across the UK, it is essential that we reduce emissions and preserve the land in the best way possible.”

 On top of this initiative, WOMAD is leading the way in sustainability, with action on recycling, single use plastics, water, compost toilets and travel share schemes and shuttle buses. Over the past six years, WOMAD has generated an average of 113 tonnes of waste per festival and since 2014 has supported a Waste to Energy scheme where metal, wood, glass and some plastics are removed for specialised recycling, 100 per cent of the remaining waste is then diverted from landfill into recycled energy and ash from the process is used in infrastructure projects nationally.

Image: Garry Jones