A community benefit fund worth over £2 million is being launched for Peterhead and the surrounding area as part of the Eastern Green Link 2 (EGL2) project, the UK's largest electricity transmission development.

The EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund, set to open on Tuesday, 15 April, will provide a total of £2,159,444 to local initiatives over a five-year period. The fund will support projects across several priority areas identified through consultation with the local community. SSEN Transmission is currently seeking local residents to join a panel that will oversee funding decisions, with applications closing on Friday, 30 May.

EGL2 is a joint venture between SSEN Transmission and National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) to construct a 525kV, 2GW high voltage direct current (HVDC) subsea transmission cable running from Peterhead to Drax in Yorkshire. The launch of this community fund marks the latest progress in the £4.3 billion project, which is scheduled for completion in 2029.

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The EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will include a substantial project fund, providing £410,294 annually for local projects over the five-year period. The priorities for this funding, determined in consultation with the community, are:

• 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

In addition to the main fund, a micro-grant scheme will see five local community councils each receive £4,319 per year for five years. These grants are designed to provide immediate support for projects benefiting the local community up to the value of £500, particularly targeting youth groups and third-sector organisations in the area.

Ricky Saez, EGL2 Project Director from SSEN Transmission, emphasised the project's commitment to the local community: "Our EGL2 Peterhead Local Fund will provide over £2m in funding for initiatives and projects over the next five years, supporting this nationally critical project's unwavering commitment towards delivering a strong and lasting legacy for local communities."

He also highlighted the progress of the overall project: "In September we celebrated a significant milestone with the official start of construction on EGL2, and the launch of our Local Fund marks another huge step in this project that will bring economic benefit to Peterhead and surrounding communities, throughout the construction phase and beyond. The fund has been shaped through consultation we have undertaken with the community, and we're recruiting for local people to sit on our panel overseeing funding decisions. This will ensure that funding meets the needs of communities in Peterhead and delivers a lasting local legacy."