SSEN Transmission has become the first company to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter (HSVC), marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.
Sandy Mactaggart, Director of Offshore Delivery at SSEN Transmission, signed the document during a meeting at the council’s Inverness headquarters today (Tuesday).
The Charter – first published in June 2024 – contains a series of social value expectations that the Highland Council has for companies investing in renewable energy infrastructure anywhere in the Highland region.
In entering into this agreement, SSEN Transmission has committed to delivering a detailed set of benefits for Highland communities through its £22bn+ planned programme of investment to upgrade the electricity grid in the north of Scotland, subject to securing planning consent for Highland projects.
These gains for the Highlands include:
- £1.8bn of contracts for local businesses
- more than £200m spending on roads and bridges
- support the development of 500 permanent homes
- 10% net gain in biodiversity and no net loss of woodland on all new projects
In the coming days, SSEN Transmission expects to announce the first of its housing legacy projects in the Highlands, following the announcements earlier this month of new homes in Stornoway in the Western Isles and Brechin in Angus.
The business has also committed to regular, senior level update meetings with the Highland Council to ensure a strategic overview of proposed project delivery. This will support communication of progress to key stakeholders, including council members and local communities, with a commitment to provide live mapping of sites and locations in relation to HSVC deliverables.
Speaking after signing the Charter, Sandy Mactaggart said, “We are delighted to be the first business to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter. This is a landmark moment in ensuring that investment in a modern electricity grid to deliver energy security and enable economic development, will underpin the future Highland economy for decades to come and goes hand in hand with building stronger communities across the Highlands. Jobs, new housing, contracts for local businesses, and investment in roads and infrastructure all across the Highlands means more opportunities for more people to live and work here. That is the practical vision at the heart of the Social Value Charter, and why we are committed to working to maximise the local opportunities and benefits associated with our investment programme.”
Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner said, “The Highland Social Value Charter is about ensuring that all areas of the Highlands benefit fully from the opportunities presented by renewable energy investment. The Charter sits alongside our commitment to community wealth building – to take a more people centred approach to economic development, enabling wealth to remain within the Highlands. SSEN Transmission’s leadership in signing the Charter sets a strong example and will help unlock economic and social benefits for communities across the Highlands, as well as positioning us as the heartland of major infrastructure and green energy development.”
Roy MacGregor, Chairman of engineering services firm Global, said, “The Highlands has enormous potential ahead of it – now investment must deliver real value for the people, businesses, and local infrastructure which underpins it. With the Social Value Charter, SSEN Transmission’s commitments on contracts for local firms, major road and bridge upgrades, and support for new housing all align with our region’s economic direction. What really matters is turning these commitments into lasting legacy. Investment in skills, infrastructure and homes will strengthen our workforce, keep talent here and give young people genuine reasons to build their futures in the Highlands. Of course, every project should face proper scrutiny. But we cannot lose sight of the bigger opportunity here. Modern grid infrastructure is essential if the Highlands is to compete and grow – and the commitments being made today deserve our full backing.”
The full set of commitments made by SSEN Transmission today are:
- £6bn investment in transmission projects across the Highland region
- Boosting the Highland economy by up to £1.3bn (Total GVA)
- Anticipated £1.8bn of contracts to be awarded to Highland-based businesses
- Supporting over 2,200 jobs in the Highland region
- An average salary of £55,000* for Highland employees
- 60% of new roles advertised with the Highlands as an optional work location
- Committed to 5% of employees in earn as you learn roles
- Over £200m investment on roads and bridges, supporting the Highland Investment Plan
- Developing multiple park and ride sites and active travel routes for communities to support Highland connectivity
- 10% net gain in biodiversity and no net loss of woodland on all new projects
- Memorandum of understanding with The Highland Council on a biodiversity enhancement scheme
- Investing over £100m in Highland housing
- Contributing to the development of over 500 permanent homes in the Highland Council area, with 60% unlocking affordable/social housing stock
- Unlocking £62m of community investment through Highland projects
- £31m of funding will be available through local funds to support Highland communities close to our infrastructure
- The additional £31m will form part of the £50m regional fund to provide impactful investment across the broader region
- Working with supply chain partners to develop health, sport and wellbeing facilities in partnership with High Life Highland and local charities
*Based on 2023-25 average, excluding trainees and graduates in early career roles
Headline picture from left to right: Leader of the Highland Council, Raymond Bremner, and SSEN Transmission’s Director of Offshore Delivery, Sandy Mactaggart, signing the Highland Social Value Charter at the Highland Council’s headquarters in Inverness this afternoon.