SSEN Transmission to launch consultation on Aberarder Local Fund

15 October 2026

Funded by SSENT 2.JPG

Local community invited to help shape plans for new £785,000 Aberarder local community benefit fund

We are inviting people across Strathnairn and the surrounding area to help shape the development of the Aberarder Local Fund, a new community benefit fund associated with the Aberarder Wind Farm Connection project.

The fund, which is expected to provide £785,000 in community benefit funding, will be developed in partnership with local communities to ensure it reflects local priorities and delivers lasting benefits for the area.

A public consultation will run from Monday 26 October to Friday 20 November, giving residents, community groups and local stakeholders the opportunity to help determine how the fund should be structured and delivered.

The consultation will seek views on three key areas:

  • The area of benefit for the fund and where funding should be available.
  • The priorities for the fund and the types of projects it should support.
  • The structure of the fund, including how funding should be distributed and over what timeframe. 

To support the consultation, we will be hosting a series of in-person and online engagement events where community members can learn more about the fund, ask questions and share their views.

The events include:

  • Wednesday 28 October: 9.30am to 12.30pm, at Farr Community Hall, Strathnairn
  • Wednesday 4 November: 3.30pm to 7pm, at Strathnairn Hall, Daviot West
  • Thursday 5 November: 3.30pm to 7pm, at Farr Community Hall, Strathnairn
  • Monday 9 November: 7pm to 8pm, via Microsoft Teams

Community members who are unable to attend an event will still be able to participate by requesting a briefing document and consultation survey via community.benefit@sse.com.

Ryan Bell, Community Investment Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:

"This fund is intended to deliver lasting benefits for communities in Strathnairn, so it's important that local people help shape how it works from the outset. Through this consultation we're asking residents, community groups and local stakeholders what matters most to them, what priorities the fund should support and how it can be structured to create the greatest possible benefit for the area. We would encourage anyone who lives or works locally to get involved and help shape a fund that reflects the community's needs and ambitions."

The views gathered during the consultation will be used to develop a draft fund proposal, which will then be shared with community representatives for further feedback before being finalised. Full details of the fund will be published later in the year.

Further information on the Aberarder Local Fund, including details of how to participate in the consultation and register for updates, can be found on the Aberarder Local Fund webpage.