SSEN Transmission launches consultation on new £1.23 million Melgarve Cluster Local Fund

17 September 2026

Communities invited to help shape funding priorities in Laggan and Stratherrick & FoyersSSEN Transmission _public consultation.jpg

We have launched a public consultation to help shape a new community benefit fund linked to our Melgarve Cluster project, with around £1.23 million expected to be made available for local projects in Laggan and Stratherrick & Foyers.

The proposed Melgarve Cluster Local Fund will be developed in partnership with local communities and is designed to ensure those closest to the infrastructure share in the benefits of investment in the electricity transmission network needed to deliver Scotland's clean energy future.

The Melgarve Cluster project will connect the Dell and Cloiche wind farms to the existing Melgarve 400/132kV substation. Infrastructure associated with the project includes an overhead line between Cloiche Wind Farm and Melgarve Substation, a switching station at Cloiche Wind Farm, and a proposed switching station at Dell Wind Farm, subject to planning consent.

The current lifetime value of the fund is expected to be £1.23 million, calculated in line with UK Government guidance on community funds for transmission infrastructure.

As part of the development of the fund we are inviting people who live or work in the Laggan and Stratherrick & Foyers community council areas to help shape its design through a programme of consultation events and an online survey.

The consultation will seek views on three key areas:

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

Communities invited to share their views

We will host a series of drop-in sessions throughout October giving community members the opportunity to meet our fund manager, ask any questions, learn more about the fund development process and share their ideas.

The consultation programme includes:

  • Laggan Community Hall: Thursday 1 October, 3.30pm to 7pm
  • The Hub, Foyers: Tuesday 27 October, 3.30pm to 7pm
  • The Wildside Centre, Whitebridge: Wednesday 28 October, 3.30pm to 7pm

An online webinar will also be held on Tuesday 3 November, 7pm, for anyone unable to attend an in-person event.  Details of how to sign-up are available from the Melgarve Cluster Local Fund page online. 

A community survey will also be available online from 1 October to 12 November, with hard copies available on request.

Feedback gathered through the consultation will be analysed and published in a consultation report. The findings will then be used to develop a detailed fund proposal, which will be shared with community representatives for further feedback before being finalised later this year.

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

"We want this fund to reflect the interests, priorities and ambitions of the communities close to the Melgarve Cluster project. That's why we're inviting local residents, businesses and community groups to help shape how the fund operates from the outset.

"The Melgarve Cluster Local Fund has the potential to deliver meaningful and lasting benefits across Laggan and Stratherrick & Foyers, supporting projects that matter most to local people and helping to create a positive legacy for future generations.

"We encourage everyone with an interest in their community's future to take part in the consultation and share their views."

Funding will become available when construction of the main Melgarve Cluster project begins.

In addition to the Melgarve Cluster Local Fund, eligible communities will also be able to apply to our Regional Fund, which supports larger strategic projects across the north of Scotland.

Anyone unable to attend an event but wishing to share their views can contact community.benefit@sse.com for further information and details of how to complete the survey.