Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund

What is the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund? 

The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Strategy is a series of projects aimed at increasing our network capability across Argyll and Kintyre, enabling the exporting of electricity to the wider GB transmission network. 

The Community Benefit Fund associated with these projects is aimed specifically at communities who are situated close to the infrastructure and will be developed in partnership with these communities.  

This is the first Local Fund to be designed in accordance with the UK Government Guidance on Community Funds for Transmission Infrastructure, released in March 2025.  

The Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund supersedes the Inveraray – Crossaig 275kV Overhead Line Local Fund, which was announced ahead of the release of the UK Government Guidance. The total value of the Inveraray – Crossaig 275kV Overhead Line Local Fund (£203,000) now forms part of the total value of the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund, as detailed below.  

What is the fund value? 

The fund value, as per UK Government Guidance, is made up of community benefit funding associated with the infrastructure of the following projects: 

• Inveraray – Crossaig 275kV Overhead Line 

• Crarae Substation 

• An Suidhe Substation 

• Craig Murrail Substation 

• Creag Dhubh to Dalmally Overhead Line 

• Creag Dhubh to Inveraray Overhead Line 

The current total lifetime value of the Argyll and Kintyre 275kV Local Fund will therefore be £3,268,000. As per our fund delivery approach, the remaining funding associated with these projects will be allocated to the Regional Fund. 

Community Engagement 

It is important to us that our local funds are designed in collaboration with the communities within that local area, ensuring that the funding is distributed to have the maximum possible impact. 

We held a series of events and presentations and also received survey responses what the fund should look like. We received thoughts and views from many community members who live and work throughout the Kintyre peninsula and surrounding area, including those situated close to the infrastructure. The aims of this community engagement activity was to define: 

• 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 the money should 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 community projects) 

To gather views, we hosted several in-person and online sessions in September 2025.

Argyll & Kintyre 275kV Local Fund Proposal

Following our public consultation, we are pleased to present our proposal for the Argyll & Kintyre 275kV Local Fund. We propose the fund initially runs for 5 years which equates to annual funding rounds of £653,600 and that the following three  themes are addressed:

1. Tackling the root causes of depopulation (for instance, by enhancing infrastructure such as affordable housing, transport, broadband; providing education, skills and training opportunities; establishing or supporting community services and facilities).  
2. Improving connectivity (for instance, by providing activities for groups experiencing social isolation including younger people, older people and marginalised groups; improving access to transport including community transport). 
3. Tackling the climate and biodiversity crises (for instance, through sustainability initiatives; nature restoration projects; improving access to nature and active travel).

A dedicated Community Fund Manager will be allocated in early 2026 to progress the Argyll Fund and keep local communities updated. Additional details on the local decision-making panel and project timelines will be published on this website as they become available.