The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust was founded by Scottish Hydro Electric plc (now SSE plc) in 1998 and provides funding support for customers looking to connect to SSEN Distribution’s network across the north of Scotland.

The current round of applications closes on 14 May, and future applications will be considered by Trustees on a quarterly basis.

The Trust is looking to support up to 75% of the cost of connections for successful community projects, and up to 50% of the cost for individuals applying for a new domestic connection. And as a charity, the Trust is required to means-test applications for domestic connections. 

David Telford, Trust Chairman, said:

“The Trust was initially set up to help those facing challenges connecting to what was then known as the Scottish Hydro Electric network – particularly in some of our more rural mainland and island communities – and we’re delighted to continue providing this vital support, both to individuals and to community groups across the north of Scotland nearly 30 years later.

“Over the last five years we’ve awarded over £564,000 of grants in support of the cost of new connections to the electricity network throughout SSEN’s licence area. From Arran, Argyll and Bute, across Perthshire, Dundee and Angus, to the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland, the Western Isles and all points in between, £154,500 of this total has been awarded to community projects providing significant benefit in their local area.”

For more information on the Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust and to access the application form, please visit their website – https://www.shect.org