SSEN Transmission has awarded more than £250,000 through its East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund in Scotland.
Community projects that support health and wellbeing have each received up to £5,000 through the community benefit fund that represents a major step towards what is expected to be over £100m in funding for communities across the north of Scotland.
A total of 63 projects across Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire have each received awards through SSEN Transmission’s East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund.
This is the transmission network operator’s first local fund for communities near to new and upgraded infrastructure, with many more local funds expected to follow.
Among the successful recipients are Inverurie First Responders in Aberdeenshire, which has received £5,000 to purchase PPE and training equipment including a specialised CPR training dummy.
Other recipients include Perth and Kinross Society for the Blind (Vision PK), Ochils Mountain Rescue Team (pictured), and Angus Young Engineers.
The East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund covers 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 400kV operation.
It is the first of four preliminary local funds created by SSEN Transmission and is dedicated to projects that support health and wellbeing – identified as a key priority area following consultation with local communities.
The UK government recently published new guidance for community benefit funding, which is expected to result in over £100m for communities in the north of Scotland.
It comes as part of SSEN Transmission’s £20bn investment in new high voltage onshore and offshore infrastructure supporting national energy security and clean energy ambitions, while creating huge economic opportunities in local communities.
Christianna Logan, SSEN Transmission’s director of customers and stakeholders, said: “We are delighted to announce these awards from our East Coast Local Fund, the first local fund forming a key part of what we expect to be over £100m in community benefit funding for communities across the north of Scotland.
“Each of the successful applications are focused on improving health and wellbeing in local communities through initiatives that encourage activity and foster connection – whether through sport and exercise, the arts, or other activities that bring people together.
“Engagement with local communities has been central to our approach towards developing the fund, with health and wellbeing identified as a priority following consultation with communities along the 170km length route of our East Coast overhead line.
“There has been significant interest in the fund since its launch in November, and the standard of applications has been very high.
“We’d like to thank all those who applied, and our congratulations go to the projects that have been successful.
“We’re now looking forward to seeing the positive impact of this funding in local communities.”