SSEN Transmission appoints Chair of Community Benefit Fund

Chair of Community Benefit Fund Peter Peacock

  • Peter Peacock appointed as inaugural Chair of opening £10m fund

  • Applications open for independent Panel members to assess bids

SSEN Transmission has appointed Peter Peacock as the inaugural Chair of its first Community Benefit Fund, which launches in September. 

The appointment marks a significant step forward in bringing positive benefits to communities across the north of Scotland, with the aim of delivering over £100m of funding in the future.  

From 1 September, community groups will be able to apply for a share of an initial £2m that is being released from the company’s opening £10m community benefit fund, covering in-flight projects that are already being delivered. 

Peter, a former Scottish Government Minister and Convener of Highland Council, will chair a panel made up of three independent advisors and a representative from SSEN Transmission, that will assess applications and allocate funding.  

His appointment is the first to the panel, with applications* being encouraged for the appointment of the remaining members. 

Following extensive consultation with the public in 2023, the company has confirmed that priority for funding will be given to projects that deliver on three identified themes:  

  • People: focusing on skills, training and employability;  
  • Place: emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland; and  
  • Reducing fuel poverty levels. 

Based on initial indications from the UK Government on the anticipated scale of community benefit funding, the company expects the overall value of its community benefit fund to exceed £100m, creating a huge opportunity to maximise the transformative impact that new electricity transmission developments can have in the north of Scotland.

Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: “Funding can be a tool for building wealth within communities, giving power to local people to create new opportunities, meet objectives, and retain local wealth and assets.

“SSEN Transmission’s first Community Benefit Fund will be able to support enterprise and initiatives within communities across the north of Scotland for years to come, helping enable and empower local people to enrich community wellbeing, improving lives and places. 

“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.” 

Christianna Logan, SSEN Transmission’s Director of Customers and Stakeholders, said: “We are delighted to appoint Peter as Chair of the strategic decision-making panel for the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund. 

“Peter brings a wealth of experience from his time in local and national government, and a personal interest in furthering the socio-economic goals of communities in the north of Scotland, all of which he will be deploying as we launch our first Community Benefit Fund on September 1.

“Applications are now open for other panel members, and we encourage anyone who has an interest in making a contribution that will deliver real benefits to communities across the north of Scotland to apply.” 

*To apply to become a Community Benefit Fund Panel member, please click here.