The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust has called for applications for funding support to connect to the electricity network in the north of Scotland.

The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust is an independent charitable trust set up in 1998 by Scottish Hydro Electric plc (now SSE plc). The Trust considers applications for support with the cost of connecting to the electricity network for individual homeowners and also for community groups with charitable status in the Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) licence area in the north of Scotland.

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 looking for support to meet the costs of a new domestic connection. As a charity we are required to means test applications for domestic connections.

The next round of applications closes on Monday 20 May 2024, with future applications being considered by Trustees on a quarterly basis.

David Telford, Trust Chairman, said: "In the last year we awarded over £95,000 of grants in support of the cost of new connections to the electricity network within SSEN's distribution area in the north of Scotland, with £19,750 of this total awarded to community projects providing significant benefit to their local communities.

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"The Trust was initially set up to help those facing challenges connecting to the electricity 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 nearly 30 years later."

Newtonmore Winter Lights Association has received a grant to provide electricity to their storage facility in Newtonmore, and their Secretary, Ian RL Gibson, said: "The shed is already in use to store and repair our 90 sets of winter lights which are displayed in the village from mid-November to mid-February. We are also developing the space as a community store. We would like to express our thanks to the Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust for the grant which has helped us realise our project."

Monifieth Community Resource Group has received a grant to provide electricity to their site at Riverside Drive, Monifieth; their Chair, Jean Lee, said: "The project is building and managing a fit-for-purpose community centre within Monifieth in Angus. This will be at the seafront at the end of a high-profile active travel walking and cycling path. Within the building there will be a multi-use hall, a gym, a café and a library and access services. Activities we aim to provide are lunch clubs for older people, a range of fitness classes, access to local community groups and support services and community activities which will bring the community together."

Culbokie Community Trust has received a grant to provide electricity to their Community Hub, including a café and toilet block, in Culbokie. Their Chair, Paul Wadge, said: "The electrical supply is for a new community hub comprising a cafe, mixed-use building, public toilets and a potting shed (a small volunteer base). The development will provide a new heart to the village and fill gaps in local services and amenities which have arisen due to the expansion of housing combined with a very poor public transport service."

Further applications are welcome after the closing date of Monday 20 May, as the Trust meets on a quarterly basis to regularly consider applications.

For more information on the Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust, to apply online or download an application form, please visit www.shect.org.