Communities in line for £2m more funding as part of expected £100m+
SSEN Transmission has announced the opening of the second round of its Regional Community Benefit Fund, enabling organisations across the north of Scotland to apply for a share of £2m for projects that will aid skills development, support the culture of the region, or help alleviate fuel poverty.
The funding comes from an initial pot of £10m which is associated with electricity transmission projects that are already in delivery. This approach will be replicated for SSEN Transmission’s ‘Pathway to 2030’ projects, which means the north of Scotland will see more than £100m of funding made available for communities, delivered as part of the investment in the region’s electricity infrastructure to help achieve the country’s energy security and clean power objectives.
The Regional Fund operates alongside a series of more local funds focussed on communities situated close to new infrastructure developments.
The fund – the first of its kind from investment in electricity transmission infrastructure – was launched last September and made its first £2m of awards in February 2025. Its aim is to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland.
From 20 August, groups throughout SSEN Transmission’s network area* can apply for a share of the £2m funding from this round, seeking awards from a minimum amount of £40,000 up to £500,000. The application deadline is 12 noon on 19 November, with awards expected to be made in February 2026. Further details and guidance on eligibility can be found here.
Following extensive public consultation in 2023, the company prioritises awards from the Regional Fund for projects that deliver on one or more of three core themes:
- People: Focussing on skills, training and employability
- Place: Emphasising the community and culture of the north of Scotland
- Alleviating Fuel Poverty: Looking at strategic ways to help people across the region
All projects must align with a minimum of one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and be able to assess the project against these goals.
In July 2025, SSEN Transmission appointed Peter Peacock, former Scottish government minister and convener of Highland Council, as inaugural Chair of the Regional Fund, which is overseen by an independent panel responsible for assessing applications.
Mr Peacock said,
“We’re excited to see what our second round of funding applications brings forward, building on the success of the £2m of diverse awards made in the first round.
“The best chance of success will come with projects that can make a real and lasting difference and have impact across communities.
“If you have quality initiatives that can positively impact the chances of employability, or reduce fuel poverty, or strengthen and enrich lives across communities, check out our website and speak to our staff.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Climate Action and Energy in the Scottish Government, Gillian Martin MSP, said,
“Local communities are at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy future. We’re working with partners to ensure the transition to net-zero delivers real, lasting benefits for people across the country.
“I urge all organisations in the north of Scotland that have projects aimed at supporting skills development, improving the culture of communities, and helping to alleviate fuel poverty, to apply for this round of Community Benefit Funding.”
The Minister for Energy Consumers in the UK Government, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, said,
“Investing in our electricity network is essential for our clean power by 2030 mission. But we must also ensure that local communities benefit directly from this transformation.
“SSEN Transmission’s funding will support community projects throughout the north of Scotland—helping the region lead the way in clean energy, while supporting energy security, jobs and growth.”
SSEN Transmission’s Director of Customers and Stakeholders, Christianna Logan, concluded,
“After the highly successful first round of awards from SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund – which supported 10 fantastic organisations in the north of Scotland – we are delighted to announce the launch of round two.
“Supporting communities and achieving clean power and energy security for the country go hand in hand, and we are confident that the high level of interest in this fund – reflected in the large number of applications received in round one – will be matched and even exceeded this time round.
“We anticipate that our ‘Pathway to 2030’ investment programme will generate more than £100m in community benefit funding for communities across the north of Scotland – helping to create a legacy from our investment in electricity infrastructure for generations to come.”
Quotes from first round funding recipients
Simon Drysdale is the CEO of Regional Screen Scotland, a mobile cinema that takes the big screen experience to over 40 remote communities across in the Highlands and islands.
Simon said, “SSEN Transmission’s award brought boundless optimism and energy to our fundraising efforts to raise £1.7m for a new Screen Machine mobile cinema. Six months later, we have almost reached our target and can plan with confidence for a continuing service to the 2040s.”
Dr Emily Gal is from the Archaeology Institute at UHI North, West and Hebrides, which has received funding for the Barra and Harris Unearthed project, which aims to increase engagement and understanding of key archaeological sites across the islands of Barra and Harris.
Dr Gal said, “For us, this match funding was the final ‘brick in the wall’ we needed to begin the project, so to see it finally come to fruition is fantastic. After some initial scoping in Barra this July at the Barra and Vatersay Science Festival, we are looking forward to working with school and community groups to co-create an app that will enable users to see life-sized, interactive reconstructions of archaeological sites from their true landscape location. Look out for the launch of the new app in Summer 2026!”
Gavin Morgan is Co-CEO of Moray-based Growing2gether which supports mentoring and youth-led social action.
Mr Morgan said, “Thanks to SSEN Transmission’s support, our Nursery Mentoring programme has helped young people provide mentoring to nursery and primary age children across the Highlands, while our Youth Social Action project has provided support to local communities with a variety of projects.
“When young people find their voice and come together, they don’t just build a community—they become the force that transforms it. Our thanks go to the young people who have made a positive difference to their own and other people’s lives, and to SSEN Transmission who have helped us support them to make such a positive impact in local schools and communities.”
Details of all 10 recipients of funding from the first round of the Regional Community Benefit Fund can be accessed here. * Projects benefiting communities located within the SSEN Transmission network area may be eligible to apply for the Regional Fund. The network area covers the same parts of Scotland as its sister-business, SSEN Distribution. People can provide their postcode on the Energy Networks Association website to check which network area they reside in.