We are on a mission to enable the national electrification ambitions and our communities hosting the new infrastructure are at the forefront of this transition, enabling a cleaner future for everyone. We will work with them to deliver transformational funding programmes that will drive socio-economic development and environmental progress, creating new opportunities for local businesses and delivering lasting benefits for our communities.
Our ambition to support our communities aligns with the guidance on community funds for transmission infrastructure that has recently been published by the government.
Nicola Connelly, CEO of SP Energy Networks, said: “Investment in the transmission network is investment in communities and this has been strengthened further today following the government’s announcement.
“The transmission network is the cornerstone of our energy system, delivering economic growth, moving us forward to a green, all-electric future and helping us provide energy security to the UK.
“Now, with the confirmed guidance we can ensure the communities playing host to future overground transmission infrastructure are recognised for their role in one of the largest infrastructure upgrades seen in recent times.
“We have already delivered investment in communities through our Net Zero Fund and Green Economy Fund, investing £25m so far in local communities, helping them move forward on their own green transition.
“Community benefit funding will enable us to add to the positive legacy we have worked hard to build for our communities. We will be working with DESNZ and Ofgem over the coming weeks and months to build processes and offering in line with the government guidance. Our community benefit funding will ultimately be tailored to local priorities and ambitions, ensuring that we are creating a positive legacy through measurable economic, environmental, and social benefits.”
We will implement Community Benefit funding programmes across our Transmission licence area once the necessary regulation is in place. We will work closely with Ofgem to support the development of relevant regulatory mechanisms.
Our Track Record in Delivering Community Funding
We’ve successfully delivered nearly £25 million to our communities through our award-winning Green Economy Fund and the Transmission Net Zero Fund. As the first UK Transmission Operator to offer this type of funding, we’ve empowered the communities we serve to actively join the transition to a greener future. Watch the video below to find out more.
[+ video_id=378 +]
Engaging with Our Communities
In December 2024, we published our RIIO-T3 Business Plan, which sets out how we will transform our network to enable national Net Zero ambitions and how we will support our communities on this journey.
We have engaged with communities and stakeholders across Central and Southern Scotland to gather their views on our community funding plans. Their feedback has helped us shape our RIIO-T3 plans and ensure that future funding opportunities reflect the needs of the communities we serve.
Eastern Green Link 1: A Milestone Project
Eastern Green Link 1 is one of the first Transmission projects to be granted Community Benefit Funding by Ofgem, with £8 million assigned to deliver community benefit programmes that will bring social, economic, and environmental benefits to the communities hosting this project in Scotland and England.
Delivering Community Benefits
Our Community Benefit Funding will be delivered by SP Transmission, a subsidiary of SP Energy Networks , responsible for transmitting high-voltage electricity from where it’s generated to the low-voltage network across Central and Southern Scotland.
We are committed to getting this right for our communities. To ensure that our Community Benefit programmes are fit for purpose and respond to local needs and community aspirations, we will begin by actively engaging with host communities.
We are excited to embark on this journey with our communities and look forward to working together to deliver a positive legacy across the areas we serve.
To stay up to date with the development of our Community Benefit Funding, please Register as a Stakeholder (select 'Community Funding' as one of your interests).