The Western Isles Alternative and Renewable Energy Partnership (WIAREP) was formed in 2001 to promote renewable and sustainable energy issues in the Western Isles.

The establishment of WIAREP has been supported by OPET in Scotland - The OPETs are Organisations for the Promotion of Energy Technologies. OPET Scotland was managed by NIFES Consulting Group with support from the Scottish Energy Efficiency Office.

WIAREP is also advised by the Islenet project. Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) plays host to 'Islenet', a voluntary networking organisation of island regional authorities under the auspices of the Conference for Peripheral and Maritime Regions or CPMR (in Europe) for the exchange of information on energy and the environment in European islands. www.europeanislands.net