Our Regional Community Benefit Fund is now accepting applications
Learn more and apply using the information and links provided below to make a difference in your area.
Our Community Benefit Funds
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Regional Fund
Now accepting applications
Our Regional Fund aims to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland. We can fund strategic projects that benefit communities that lie wholly within our network area. You don’t have to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution and not be set up for individual profit.
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Local Funds
Applications opening soon
Our local funds will launch soon and will be dedicated to communities situated close to our infrastructure. The focus for these funds will be developed through discussions with communities, ensuring that local priorities are supported. In the meantime, you can register for updates using the form below.
Director of Customers and Stakeholders, Christianna Logan, said:
"We are immensely proud to provide substantial funding through our regional and local Community Benefit Funds, paving the way for a more prosperous future in the communities we serve. This initiative is about far more than just financial support; it's about creating a lasting legacy that resonates for generations. By investing in projects that enrich lives, foster innovation, and strengthen community bonds, we are committed to generating real, sustainable value. Our goal is to empower communities to not only meet today’s challenges but to thrive well into the future, ensuring that the benefits of this funding are felt for many years to come."
Welcome to the SSEN Transmission Community Benefit Fund
Our network in the north of Scotland will play a leading role in the clean energy transition, connecting and transporting renewable electricity from wind, hydro and marine generation. Our Community Benefit Fund will allow a share of the benefits to go directly to those communities hosting this new infrastructure. We are excited to introduce our new Community Benefit Fund, designed to bring substantial benefits and a positive, lasting legacy through local and regional initiatives across the north of Scotland.
Background and Purpose
Following a UK Government announcement in November 2023 regarding community benefits from transmission infrastructure, SSEN Transmission anticipates the value of future community funds from our current investment plans to be in excess of £100m. This initiative is subject to the finalised Government guidance and approval from Ofgem, and will apply to all new transmission infrastructure projects in Great Britain.
Fund Structure
Regional Projects
If your project benefits communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area, you may be eligible to apply for our Regional Fund. Our network area covers the same parts of Scotland as our sister-business, SSEN Distribution. You can provide your post code on the Energy Networks Association website to check which network area you reside in.
We anticipate that the regional projects will be of higher value and have a greater transformational impact. The local funds will be solely for communities who are situated close to new infrastructure.
Local Projects
Our local funds will launch soon and will be dedicated to communities situated close to our infrastructure. The focus for these funds will be developed through discussions with communities, ensuring that local priorities are supported.
Initial Funding and Application Process
Starting from 1 September 2024, eligible organisations in the north of Scotland will be able to apply for an initial £2m, which is part of our opening £10m community benefit fund. This initial funding aims to kickstart impactful projects or initiatives that will bring meaningful benefits to communities.
Independent Panel to ensure good governance and accountability
SSEN Transmission has appointed Peter Peacock, a former Scottish Government Minister and Convener of Highland Council, as the inaugural Chair of its first Regional Community Benefit Fund.
From 1 September 2024, organisations can apply for a share of an initial £2m from the company’s opening £10m fund. Peter will chair a panel with three independent advisors and an SSEN Transmission representative to assess applications and allocate funding.
“The independent panel I will chair will bring external experience and expertise that will ensure real impact across the fund’s priority areas. I look forward to engaging with what I anticipate will be many exciting and innovative proposals in the coming years.” - Peter Peacock, Chair of Regional Community Benefit Fund
Pictured: Gary Hughes, Economic Development Manager at SSEN Transmission, Peter Peacock, Chair of Regional Community Benefit Fund; Morven Smith, Head of Community Investment at SSE Group.
Our Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, based on SSEN Transmission’s ambitious £20bn ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme and initial indications from the UK Government regarding the anticipated scale of Community Benefit funding, we expect the overall value of our Community Benefit Fund to exceed £100m. This significant funding represents a tremendous opportunity to maximise the transformative impact that new electricity transmission developments can have in the region.
Get Involved and Apply
We are eager to work with local and regional organisations to bring these benefits to life. Together, we can create a brighter, more sustainable future for communities in the north of Scotland. Explore our Community Benefit Fund web pages to learn more about our regional and local funds and we look forward to receiving applications for consideration.
For further information and updates, please keep an eye on our website and follow our social media channels. You can also register for our Community Benefit Fund mailing list using the button below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Community Benefit Fund
Strong support for SSEN Transmission's proposals for a Community Benefit Fund
In July 2023, SSEN Transmission launched a six week consultation to seek views on plans for a community benefit scheme, the first of its kind for a Transmission Owner. Over 135 organisations and individuals gave feedback on our proposal to set up a Community Benefit Fund.
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Power your career at SSEN Transmission
We're on a mission to upgrade the network in the north of Scotland to bring cleaner energy to homes and businesses across the country. With hundreds of jobs available, join us and help power change.
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Explore our projects
You can navigate our electricity transmission network and explore our proposed projects using our interactive project map. Click the icons displayed on our project map and you will be directed to the associated project information page where you can learn more about what we are doing in the local area and why. -
UK government's report on Community Benefits
This document details the UK government’s response to a consultation on community benefits for electricity transmission network infrastructure published in March 2023, and outlines the decisions made and next steps.