Our approach to community benefit funding
Key details
- Our community benefit funds support communities across the north of Scotland
- Communities can apply for funding through regional and local funds
- The total value of funding is expected to exceed £100 million
- Our approach is guided by UK Government guidance and shaped by community feedback
What is community benefit funding?
Our network across the north of Scotland plays a vital role in connecting renewable electricity from wind, hydro and marine power to homes and businesses across the UK. This new electricity transmission infrastructure is essential for meeting clean power and energy security targets, but we recognise that hosting infrastructure can bring change for local areas.
Community benefit funds are one way to ensure that communities hosting new infrastructure benefit directly from this investment.
They are monetary funds which support regional and local priorities, build resilience, and leave a meaningful legacy.
Take a look at projects we've already funded
Fund structure
We deliver two types of community benefit funding:
The Regional Community Benefit Fund
Our Regional Fund offers funding to causes that benefit communities across the SSEN Transmission network area in the north of Scotland.
This fund supports projects that:
- Create long‑term impact
- Benefit more than one community, or can be replicated elsewhere
- Strengthen communities socially, culturally and economically
The most recent round of Regional Fund applications closed in 2025 and the next round is expected to reopen in 2026.
Local community benefit funds
Our local funds are for communities located close to our transmission infrastructure.
These funds:
- Focus on local priorities
- Are shaped through direct conversations with communities
- Support causes that matter most to people living nearby
Each local fund is bespoke and more information can be found on each fund's dedicated page.
How the funds are financed
Our initial commitment
Before UK Government guidance was published in March 2025, we committed £10 million to community benefit funding. Much of this came from the Eastern Green Link 2 project with the remainder funded directly by SSEN Transmission.
Funding from new projects
Since March 2025, eligible transmission projects that enter construction generate community benefit funding in line with UK Government guidance.
This approach:
- ensures fairness and consistency
- balances benefits for communities with affordability for bill payers
- supports both regional and local funding streams
As our major infrastructure programme progresses, this funding will continue to grow.
Independent decision making
All funding decisions are governed by independent panels with strict governance procedures.
- The Regional Fund is overseen by a panel chaired by an independent chair, with experienced members from across public and community sectors
- Local fund awards are decided by panels made up of people who understand and live in the communities they represent
This ensures funding decisions are transparent, fair and rooted in local knowledge.
Looking ahead
We are investing £29 billion into the electricity network across the north of Scotland.
This investment is expected to generate over £100 million in community benefit funding in the coming years creating a significant opportunity to support communities through the energy transition.
Get involved
We want to work with communities and organisations to bring these benefits to life.
You can:
- Explore our regional and local fund pages and apply for funding
- Sign up for updates about future funding rounds
- Follow our progress through our website and social media channels
Together, we can ensure the clean energy transition delivers real, lasting benefits in our communities.