SSEN Transmission has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Highland Council, reinforcing a shared commitment to deliver long‑term environmental and social benefits across the region.
The agreement marks another significant milestone for the two organisations, following SSEN Transmission becoming the first business to sign the Highland Social Value Charter (HSVC) at the end of 2025, committing to a wide range of community, economic and environmental benefits for the Highlands.
Building on this foundation, the newly signed MoU sets out a collaborative and up-front approach to compensatory planting, peatland restoration and biodiversity enhancement across the region. This approach supports the delivery of nature restoration at a strategic scale and pace, delivering habitat improvements, and working alongside local partners. It will ensure SSEN Transmission’s investment programme in critical electricity transmission network upgrades leaves a positive legacy for communities and the natural environment.
The MoU will ensure that schemes are technically suitable for delivery and provide a list of suitable sites that can be used to deliver biodiversity enhancement across the region.
Richard Baldwin, Head of Consents and Environment at SSEN Transmission, said, “Signing this Memorandum of Understanding marks an important step forward in our work our partnership with The Highland Council. It will ensure that our investment in the transmission network not only supports the transition to clean energy but also delivers meaningful, lasting benefits for the region’s natural environment and its communities.
By working together, we can enhance biodiversity at scale, restore vital habitats, and help ensure that the Highlands’ unique natural heritage thrives for generations to come.”
Chair of Highland Council’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee, Councillor Ken Gowans, said, “The MoU provides a framework to support the delivery of compensatory planting and biodiversity enhancement schemes as part of the planning for new infrastructure projects. Environmental schemes such as these are important for our communities as they ensure that biodiversity is improved, which benefits communities and results in landscape-scale improvements throughout the Highlands. We have a duty to ensure that developers deliver schemes that contribute positively to our natural habitats and ecosystems and that if new developments are approved, there is a lasting legacy for our Highland communities.
Both the MoU and the Highland Social Value Charter align with one of the Council’s strategic priorities to make the most of the financial and environmental opportunities arising from the huge renewable energy potential in the Highlands and I’m pleased that this is another positive step forward with SSEN Transmission.”
CLEAR, COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORK
The MoU creates a streamlined process for early identification and endorsement of compensatory planting, peatland restoration and biodiversity projects. It sets out early collaboration and alignment with planning policy, and clear oversight from The Highland Council.
STRONGER GOVERNANCE
A dedicated Steering Group – including representatives from the Council – will meet regularly to review proposals, ensure transparency and oversee technical assessments.
LONG‑TERM ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENT
SSEN Transmission will fund, deliver and manage all endorsed projects, maintain clear allocation records, submit regular monitoring reports and provide updated GIS mapping to track environmental outcomes.
Aligned with this, the Highland Council have committed to conducting a review of submissions, participation in the Steering Group and ongoing reporting to its Economy and Infrastructure Committee.
The agreement represents a positive step for energy transition delivery in the Highlands – ensuring that environmental enhancement, resilience and long‑term community benefit are key considerations during essential grid upgrades.