SSEN Transmission seeks community input on £5.46m Skye Reinforcement Local Fund

  • Members of the public invited to share views on launch of new local community benefit fund
  • Series of public events to take place across Broadford, Kyleakin, Portree, Dunvegan, Fort Augustus, Glenelg and Glengarry starting in March

Consultation event image

SSEN Transmission has launched a public consultation on the new Skye Reinforcement Local Community Benefit Fund, marking a significant step forward in delivering long term investment for communities along the project route. 

The Skye Reinforcement Project will replace the existing overhead electricity line between Fort Augustus and Skye, strengthening the electricity network to support clean power, security of supply and enable progress towards net zero. As part of the project, substations at Edinbane and Broadford will be extended, with upgrade works also taking place at Fort Augustus Substation.

The £5.46m Skye Reinforcement Local Fund will provide dedicated community benefit funding to those living along the route, including all community council regions within Skye & Raasay, Glenelg & Arnisdale, Glengarry and Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston, communities who will host the replacement infrastructure.

In line with UK Government guidance on community funds for transmission infrastructure, the fund is made up of community benefit funding linked to our Skye Reinforcement Project.  The consultation follows on from the announcement in October last year that the project would generate a tenfold-increase in community benefit funding following representations we made alongside others to DESNZ to increase the level of community benefit funding in the area.

The total lifetime value of the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund is £5.46m. Additional community benefit funding of another £5.46m from the Skye Reinforcement project will be delivered through the wider Transmission Regional Community Fund, which communities along the route may also apply to.

A locally shaped fund

We are committed to ensuring that this funding reflects the priorities of the people who live and work along the route. The consultation, launching next month, welcomes thoughts and views of all community members in the area to help shape how the fund is designed and delivered.

The consultation will consider:

  • Area of benefit – where funding should be available.
  • Fund priorities – what local people see as the greatest opportunities and needs in their area.
  • Fund structure – how long the fund should run and how funding should be allocated.

A series of in-person sessions will be held across the community council areas along the project route. Anyone with an interest in learning more about the fund is welcome to attend.

The events will take place at;

  • Broadford Village Hall – Tuesday 10 March, 3-7pm
  • Kyleakin Community Hall – Wednesday 11 March, 3-7pm
  • Fort Augustus Village Hall – Thursday 12 March, 3-7pm
  • Shepherd’s Way Hall, Portree – Tuesday 17 March, 3.30-7pm
  • Dunvegan Community Hall – Wednesday 18 March, 3-7pm
  • Glenelg Village Hall – Tuesday 24 March, 3-7pm
  • Glengarry Community Hall – Wednesday 25 March, 3-7pm

Online sessions will also be held on Tuesday 31 March, 10-11.30am and Thursday 2 April 6.30-8pm, with members of the public able to sign-up through the community benefit fund website. An online survey will be open 10 March-10 April for anyone unable to attend an event, with more details on how to get involved on the community benefit fund website.

All feedback gathered during the consultation will inform the draft fund proposal, which will then be shared with local community councils, development trusts and other key representatives for review. Finalised details will be published by summer 2026.

Dr Joanna Rodgers, Community Investment Manager at SSEN Transmission, said:

“We’re pleased to begin our consultation for the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund, and look forward to working with the communities along the route to shape the Fund. 

Each community along the Skye Reinforcement route has a unique identity, heritage and landscape, and it is essential that this fund supports what matters most to them. By listening directly to people who live and work in these communities, we can ensure this investment delivers meaningful, lasting benefits where they are needed most.

We strongly encourage people to come along to any of our drop-in sessions next month, share their ideas, and play a key role in shaping a fund that reflects the ambitions of their communities for the future.”