New £5.46m community benefit fund for communities hosting Skye Reinforcement Project
3 November 2026
We are inviting communities along the route of the Skye Reinforcement Project between Fort Augustus and Skye to apply for a share of a new £5.46m community benefit fund.
The Skye Reinforcement Local Fund opens for applications on Wednesday 4 November and will provide dedicated funding for communities hosting infrastructure associated with the project, with up to £1.8m available in the first year and awards of up to £100,000 available per application.
The Skye Reinforcement Project will replace the existing overhead electricity line, strengthening the electricity network and supporting security of supply. The project forms part of our £29bn investment to upgrade the transmission network, enabling more renewable energy to be transported and helping deliver Scotland and the UK’s clean power and energy security ambitions. As part of the project, substations at Edinbane and Broadford will be extended, with upgrade works also taking place at Fort Augustus Substation.
We have established the fund to ensure communities share in the benefits of its investment by supporting local projects that deliver positive, lasting outcomes shaped by local priorities.
Applications for the current funding round close on 10 February 2027. The fund is open to projects that will provide significant benefits to communities hosting the replacement infrastructure, including all the community council areas in:
- Skye and Raasay
- Glenelg and Arnisdale
- Glengarry
- Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston
Applications from organisations based outside these areas will also be considered, provided they can demonstrate that their project will deliver significant benefits to people living within the fund's area of benefit.
Following extensive consultation with local communities, five priority areas have been identified for the fund:
- Affordable and diverse housing options, including a range of tenure options such as woodland crofts and rent-to-buy schemes.
- Community assets and infrastructure, including the acquisition or improvement of community facilities such as village halls.
- Community capacity building, including support for the core costs of community organisations working towards long-term sustainability, for example through income-generating projects or strengthening operational capacity.
- Local amenities and services, including community shops, men's sheds, tool libraries and sports and recreational activities.
- Transport and connectivity, including community transport, active travel paths and infrastructure improvements to enhance accessibility.
Projects involving or supporting young people, as well as those that support or involve Gaelic, will be particularly welcomed across these priority areas. Full guidance on applying for the fund is available on the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund webpage, along with the details of online information sessions.
Dr Joanna Rodgers, SSEN Transmission’s Community Fund Manager, said:
“We are delighted to launch the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund and would like to thank all the organisations and residents who shared their views to help shape the new fund.
"The Skye Reinforcement Project represents a significant investment in the local electricity transmission network, and it’s important that the communities hosting this infrastructure share in the benefits.
"We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with communities across the area to ensure that this fund delivers meaningful, long-term benefits. We would encourage anyone with an interest in applying to attend the online information sessions and get in touch with any questions.
“We’re looking forward to seeing applications come forward and supporting projects that can deliver positive, lasting benefits for communities across the area."
Visit the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund webpage to learn more and apply.