Our Regional Community Benefit Fund is now accepting applications

We are delighted to announce that applications for our Regional Fund, a key part of SSEN Transmission’s Community Benefit Fund, are now open! This is the first round of funding available, aimed at supporting projects that make a positive impact in our communities. Additionally, our local funds will be launching soon, providing even more opportunities for community support.

Learn more and apply using the information and links provided below to make a difference in your area.

Our Community Benefit Funds

  • Regional Fund

    Now accepting applications

    Our Regional Fund aims to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland. We can fund strategic projects that benefit communities that lie wholly within our network area. You don’t have to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution and not be set up for individual profit.

  • A member of the community is speaking to the SSEN Transmission team

    Local Funds

    Applications opening soon

    Our local funds will launch soon and will be dedicated to communities situated close to our infrastructure. The focus for these funds will be developed through discussions with communities, ensuring that local priorities are supported. In the meantime, you can register for updates using the form below. 

Director of Customers and Stakeholders, Christianna Logan, said:

"We are immensely proud to provide substantial funding through our regional and local Community Benefit Funds, paving the way for a more prosperous future in the communities we serve. This initiative is about far more than just financial support; it's about creating a lasting legacy that resonates for generations. By investing in projects that enrich lives, foster innovation, and strengthen community bonds, we are committed to generating real, sustainable value. Our goal is to empower communities to not only meet today’s challenges but to thrive well into the future, ensuring that the benefits of this funding are felt for many years to come."

Welcome to the SSEN Transmission Community Benefit Fund

Our network in the north of Scotland will play a leading role in the clean energy transition, connecting and transporting renewable electricity from wind, hydro and marine generation. Our Community Benefit Fund will allow a share of the benefits to go directly to those communities hosting this new infrastructure. We are excited to introduce our new Community Benefit Fund, designed to bring substantial benefits and a positive, lasting legacy through local and regional initiatives across the north of Scotland.

Background and Purpose

Following a UK Government announcement in November 2023 regarding community benefits from transmission infrastructure, SSEN Transmission anticipates the value of future community funds from our current investment plans to be in excess of £100m. This initiative is subject to the finalised Government guidance and approval from Ofgem, and will apply to all new transmission infrastructure projects in Great Britain.

Fund Structure

Regional Projects

If your project benefits communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area, you may be eligible to apply for our Regional Fund. Our network area covers the same parts of Scotland as our sister-business, SSEN Distribution. You can provide your post code on the Energy Networks Association website to check which network area you reside in.

We anticipate that the regional projects will be of higher value and have a greater transformational impact. The local funds will be solely for communities who are situated close to new infrastructure.

Local Projects

Our local funds will launch soon and will be dedicated to communities situated close to our infrastructure. The focus for these funds will be developed through discussions with communities, ensuring that local priorities are supported.

Initial Funding and Application Process

Starting from 1 September 2024, eligible organisations in the north of Scotland will be able to apply for an initial £2m, which is part of our opening £10m community benefit fund. This initial funding aims to kickstart impactful projects or initiatives that will bring meaningful benefits to communities.

How the Community Benefit Fund is financed

UK Government guidance on community benefit funding for transmission infrastructure is expected soon. In the meantime, community funds must be requested on a project-by-project basis to Ofgem. They will consider the case for funding by balancing the local impact of the project against the cumulative impact on consumer bills. Funding is not retrospective and must be requested in advance as part of Ofgem’s project assessment process.

SSEN Transmission has already committed to deliver an initial £10m of community benefit funding. A large part of the initial £10m comes from the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project and the remainder is paid directly by SSEN Transmission. Ofgem approved funding for EGL2 community benefits with a regional and local approach so that positive outcomes are realised across the region.

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Independent Panel to ensure good governance and accountability

SSEN Transmission has appointed Peter Peacock, a former Scottish Government Minister and Convener of Highland Council, as the inaugural Chair of its first Regional Community Benefit Fund.

From 1 September 2024, organisations can apply for a share of an initial £2m from the company’s opening £10m fund. Peter will chair a panel with three independent advisors and an SSEN Transmission representative to assess applications and allocate funding.

“The independent panel I will chair will bring external experience and expertise that will ensure real impact across the fund’s priority areas. I look forward to engaging with what I anticipate will be many exciting and innovative proposals in the coming years.” - Peter Peacock, Chair of Regional Community Benefit Fund

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Pictured: Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission, Peter Peacock, Chair of Regional Community Benefit Fund; Morven Smith, Head of Community Investment at SSE Group.

Our Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, based on SSEN Transmission’s ambitious £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme and initial indications from the UK Government regarding the anticipated scale of Community Benefit funding, we expect the overall value of our Community Benefit Fund to exceed £100m. This significant funding represents a tremendous opportunity to maximise the transformative impact that new electricity transmission developments can have in the region.

Get Involved and Apply

We are eager to work with local and regional organisations to bring these benefits to life. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for communities in the north of Scotland. Explore our Community Benefit Fund web pages to learn more about our regional and local funds and we look forward to receiving applications for consideration.

For further information and updates, please keep an eye on our website and follow our social media channels. You can also register for our Community Benefit Fund mailing list using the button below:

Register for updates

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

 

Who should I contact for more information?

Laura Read-Norrie

Community Benefit Fund

Strong support for SSEN Transmission's proposals for a Community Benefit Fund

In July 2023, SSEN Transmission launched a six week consultation to seek views on plans for a community benefit scheme, the first of its kind for a Transmission Owner.  Over 135 organisations and individuals gave feedback on our proposal to set up a Community Benefit Fund.   

Lesley Dow, Head of Community Engagement, speaking with a stakeholder
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  • Explore our projects

    You can navigate our electricity transmission network and explore our proposed projects using our interactive project map. Click the icons displayed on our project map and you will be directed to the associated project information page where you can learn more about what we are doing in the local area and why.
  • UK government's report on Community Benefits

    This document details the UK government’s response to a consultation on community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure published in March 2023, and outlines the decisions made and next steps.