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Community benefit and grants

We are committed to being a good neighbour to the local communities in which we work and operate.

We want to deliver fair and enduring benefits for the communities that are hosting new electricity transmission infrastructure. Our EGL2 community benefit funding will deliver lasting local economic, societal, and environmental benefits.
 

In Scotland

EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund

Our Peterhead Local Fund is aimed specifically at communities who are situated close to the EGL2 infrastructure in Peterhead and the surrounding area. We have designed the fund in partnership with the relevant Community Councils and key representatives of the local community.

The Fund has been separated into two parts – a Large Project Fund and a Micro-grant Fund - with decisions made by a local independent panel.

The EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund can support projects based in the following Community Council areas: 

  • Boddam
  • Buchan East
  • Cruden
  • Longside & District
  • Peterhead

The fund value has a total lifetime value of £2,159,444, which will be delivered over a period of 5 years across both the large project fund and micro-grant fund.
 

Large Project Fund

Our Large Project Fund will be used to support strategic development across Peterhead and the surrounding area. It will be used to invest in projects that fall within the following themes:

  • 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

Any organisations interested in applying for the Large Project Fund should initially complete an expression of interest form. Additional information on the application process for our EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, including the expression of interest form, is available here. These forms will be reviewed by an independent decision-making panel, and the projects which most closely align with the fund themes and strategic aims of the local area will be invited to complete a full application.
 

Micro-grant Fund

Our Micro-grant Fund is available to individuals and local groups who need small amounts of money to cover a wide range of uses that deliver benefit to their community. 

This part of the fund is managed independently by each of the Community Councils within the areas listed above. Community Councils can award up to £4,319 per year, which they can then use to fund any projects that bring value to the local community. Funding is currently up to a maximum value of £500 per project. 

If you are interested in applying for a micro-grant, please contact the relevant Community Council directly for more information.

Further information on the EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, including how to apply for funding, is available.
 

SSEN Transmission Regional Fund

SSEN Transmission has created the Regional Fund as part of its community benefit commitment from its investment in transmission infrastructure across the network area in the north of Scotland. This substantial financial commitment is largely sourced from our EGL2 project, with the remainder directly funded by SSEN Transmission. The aim of this funding is to bring positive benefits and a long-lasting legacy to communities across the north of Scotland.

The Regional Fund is to be used to provide support for strategic projects in the region and any successful application must meet one or more of the following themes:  

  • People: Focusing 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.

These themes should be reviewed in the context of a strategic fund, with the view of maximising impact to the north of Scotland. For example, 'Place’ can refer to the physical environment or the wider cultural identity of a community, which may include arts and language.

Due to the strategic nature of this fund, additional consideration will be given to projects that demonstrate:

  • Value for money: Evidence that the project has a high impact for the amount invested.
  • Community involvement: Evidence that the community is engaged in the development and implementation of the project. This may be in the form of surveys, service user involvement, community consultations, open days, letters of support or volunteering opportunities.
  • Partnership working: Projects that involve strategic partnerships working together to achieve more.
  • Financial viability: Evidence that the project will be maintained beyond the period of grant funding.
  • Evidence of need: Demonstration of a real financial need for the application and evidence that the applicant has leveraged other sources of external funding.
  • UN Sustainable Development Goals: Alignment with a minimum of one of the UN Sustainability Goals and the ability to assess the project against these goals.

Further information on the SSEN Transmission Regional Fund, including how to apply for funding, is available here.
 

In England

In Yorkshire, we’re proud to have launched the EGL2 Yorkshire Local Community Fund, which provides financial support for projects that deliver meaningful, long-term benefits for local people and places along our route. 

Our approach has been shaped by Government guidance and informed by detailed local needs analysis and engagement with community groups, charities, and regional stakeholders. This feedback has helped ensure our plans respond directly to the aspirations of the communities we’re working within. 

EGL2 Yorkshire Local Community Fund

Following collaboration with local charities, councils and community organisations, the EGL2 Yorkshire Local Community Fund opened for applications in November 2025.  

The fund supports impactful projects in communities near to the EGL2 project in Yorkshire, with grants available across a range of areas.

Funding available

  • Up to £20,000 - for projects involving capital works where the application has already sourced quotes from suppliers and secured any necessary planning permission (new construction, significant repair or alteration to indoor or outdoor facilities involving contractors).
  • Up to £10,000 - for general community projects.  
  • Up to £5,000 - for feasibility studies, including but not limited to renovation/new construction of a community building, disability access, energy usage reduction.  

What we fund

We welcome applications from eligible organisations for projects that address one or more of the following themes:

  • Providing education and science, technology, engineering & maths (STEM) opportunities
  • Protecting the environment and ensuring access to green spaces  
  • Improving community spaces and saving energy
  • Helping with the cost of living and supporting employability  
  • Encouraging physical health and activity  
  • Supporting mental health and wellbeing  

Eligible organisations may submit one application per year. Funding is available during our construction period, which is expected to be complete in late 2029.

Eligible organisations can check their eligibility using our postcode checker, begin their application and learn more about the application process here.

The fund is being delivered in partnership with Localgiving, who can provide support or guidance by email at: [email protected]

Regional funding

Separate to the local fund, we are working to build strategic partnerships and programmes that deliver lasting social, environmental and economic benefits across the region.  

We know that our responsibility goes beyond safely building new energy infrastructure to enable a cleaner, fairer and affordable future. We want to leave a lasting positive impact in the areas where we build EGL2, helping communities thrive and supporting a sustainable future.

We will be announcing more on these plans in the coming months.