SSEN Transmission has launched the first of its community benefit funds dedicated to projects located close to new transmission infrastructure, marking a major step towards what could be over £100million in funding for communities across the north of Scotland.
The company is offering grants of up to £5,000 through its East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund, which has a total value of £252,000.
The fund is inviting applications from projects based along the 170km route of the existing East Coast overhead line from Kintore in Aberdeenshire to north-east Clackmannanshire, which is being upgraded from 275kV to enable its operation at the increased voltage of 400kV.
These works cover the following areas:
- Aberdeenshire
- Angus
- Perth and Kinross
- The north-east of Clackmannanshire, terminating at Blairingone, near the boundary between Scottish Power Energy Networks and SSEN Transmission’s operating areas
Following consultation with key local stakeholders, the fund aims to support projects that benefit community health and wellbeing – for example, walking groups, mental and physical health support groups, befriending services, and sports clubs.
The East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund is the first of four preliminary funds* dedicated to communities located close to new and upgraded transmission infrastructure.
These funds, encompassing onshore and offshore transmission projects, have been developed in consultation with key stakeholders to ensure local needs are supported – with priority given to projects located closest to infrastructure works.
The preliminary funds are expected to be followed by more local funds aligned to SSEN Transmission’s £20billion investment in new transmission infrastructure in the north of Scotland that is supporting national energy security and net zero ambitions.
Subject to UK Government guidance and approval from the energy regulator Ofgem, SSEN Transmission anticipates the value of future community funds benefiting the north of Scotland through its Pathway to 2030 programme could be more than £100million.
Christianna Logan, SSEN Transmission’s director of customers and stakeholders, said: “We are delighted to launch our East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund as the first of four preliminary local funds that are dedicated to communities located close to our new and upgraded transmission infrastructure.
“Our expectation is that these will be followed by many more local funds in the coming years, which could amount to over £100million in funding for communities across the north of Scotland.
“Community engagement is a key aspect of our approach in developing our local funds, with our East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund focusing on health and wellbeing as an issue identified by local people as a key priority.
“Each fund will be unique to the areas where our projects are based, and decisions over funding applications will be made by an independent panel of local people that best represent the interests of communities.
“We hope to be able to announce the launch of our other preliminary local funds next year, and we look forward to receiving applications from organisations keen to work with us to improve their local community.”
Indicative map of the East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade project route. Priority will be given to projects located closest to infrastructure works.