Communities in Peterhead and the surrounding area will benefit from over £2million in funding for local initiatives, through a new community benefit fund delivered as part of the UK’s biggest ever electricity transmission project.
The Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) Peterhead Local Fund is due to open on Tuesday 15th April, and will provide a total of £2,159,444 to communities in and around the Blue Toon over a five-year period, supporting projects and initiatives covering several priority areas that have been shaped by input from the local community. SSEN Transmission is currently recruiting for local people to join a panel that will oversee funding decisions, with the deadline for applications to the panel due to close on Friday 30th May.
EGL2 is a 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission cable from Peterhead to Drax in Yorkshire delivered as a joint venture by SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET). The launch of the fund marks the latest step in progress on the £4.3bn* project, which is due for completion in 2029.
The EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will include a large project fund which will provide £410,294 per year in support for local projects, over a five-year period.
EGL2 HVDC converter station construction work.
Priorities for the fund have been identified in consultation with the local community and include:
- Education, employment and skills
- Protection and enhancement of the natural environment (including land and sea, natural habitats, and biodiversity)
- Transport and connectivity (including path/cycle networks and community transport)
- Community infrastructure and regeneration
- Heritage and culture
- Community action planning and capacity building
A separate micro-grant scheme will see five local community councils each receive £4,319 a year over five years, to fund any projects that benefit the local community up to the value of £500.
These grants are designed to provide immediate support, for example, to help the high number of youth groups and other third sector organisations within Peterhead and the surrounding area.
Ricky Saez, EGL2 project director from SSEN Transmission, said: “Our EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will provide over £2m in funding for initiatives and projects over the next five years, supporting this nationally critical project’s unwavering commitment towards delivering a strong and lasting legacy for local communities.
EGL2 HVDC converter station construction work.
“In September we celebrated a significant milestone with the official start of construction on EGL2, and the launch of our Local Fund marks another huge step in this project that will bring economic benefit to Peterhead and surrounding communities, throughout the construction phase and beyond.
“The fund has been shaped through consultation we have undertaken with the community, and we’re recruiting for local people to sit on our panel overseeing funding decisions. This will ensure that funding meets the needs of communities in Peterhead and delivers a lasting local legacy.”
Further information on the Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund, including how to apply for funding is available here Our Eastern Green Link 2 Peterhead Local Fund - SSEN Transmission
To apply to sit on the local panel overseeing funding decisions, please contact community.benefit@sse.com