Lewis Hub Local Fund
Funding for community projects near North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale in Lewis
Status: In development with local communities
About the Lewis Hub Local Fund
We recognise that major infrastructure projects have a direct impact on the communities nearby. The Lewis Hub Project will connect the Western Isles to the GB Transmission network for the first time.
The Lewis Hub Local Fund will be developed in partnership with the communities closest to our Lewis Hub Project site at Arnish Moor, including those in the Community Council areas of North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale.
Funding will be available when the main construction begins, which is subject to planning approval.
Who the fund is for
The fund is for communities closest to our Lewis Hub Project site at Arnish Moor, including the Community Council areas of North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale.
Fund value
The current total lifetime value of the community benefit funding for the Lewis Hub is expected to be £1,060,000.
The fund value, which follows UK Government Guidance, is made up of community benefit funding associated with the following infrastructure:
- A High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Converter Station
- An Alternating Current (AC) Substation
In line with our fund delivery approach, where funds have a value of £1,100,000 or higher, 50% is allocated to the Regional Community Benefit Fund. Where funds have a value less than £1,100,000, communities can choose to keep this 50% in the Local Fund, which would keep the value for the Lewis Hub Local Fund at £1,060,000.
Designed in collaboration with communities
It’s important to us that this fund reflects what matters most to the people it will benefit.
Fund consultation
We are currently analysing results from the consultation for the Lewis Hub Local Fund, which closed on 18 June 2026. As part of the consultation, we hosted in-person events in Stornoway and North Lochs and an online event in May 2026. We also had an online survey which ran from 18 May to 18 June.
Through the consultation, we asked community members who live or work in the community council areas in North Lochs, Stornoway and Laxdale to share their views on:
- The area of benefit for the fund (i.e. where the funding should be available)
- The priorities for the fund (i.e. what is most important to your community and how should the money be best used)
- The structure of the fund (i.e. how many years the fund should be available and what level of funding should be available for projects)
The views gathered during the consultation will now be used to create the fund proposal, which will be shared with key community representatives for feedback before being finalised. The finalised fund details will be published on this webpage in autumn 2026.
Our commitment to communities
The Lewis Hub Project is a long‑term investment in the Western Isle's energy future. Alongside this, we’re committed to working with communities to ensure the benefits are shared fairly and deliver real, meaningful outcomes.
Through this fund, we want to support projects that strengthen communities now and leave a positive legacy for the future.
Stay informed
We will keep this page updated as the fund develops, and you will be able to apply for funding here when applications open.
You can also follow us on social media, and sign up to our mailing list to receive key updates on this fund, and for other key funding updates.