Community groups across the north of Scotland are set to benefit from over £410,000 in funding, thanks to the first round of successful applicants to SSEN Distribution's new Powering Communities to Net Zero fund.

The initiative aims to support local communities in two key areas: decarbonising their operations through the adoption of low-carbon technologies, and enhancing their resilience to power outages caused by storms or emergencies.

The fund has attracted applications from a wide geographical area, with groups from Angus to Shetland set to receive funding for diverse projects tailored to their specific community needs.

In Angus, resilience to flooding is a key focus. The Brechin Buccaneers have been awarded £4,038 to purchase sandbags and emergency equipment, while Carnoustie Community Council will use their £5,486 to buy flood prevention equipment and a portable generator. The Finavon Flood Action Group received £15,000 to install flood barriers in key locations in Finavon, including reinforcing an existing bund.

Looking towards a greener future, the Eassie, Nevay and Kirkinch Community Association in Angus will use their £17,100 award to install solar photovoltaic (PV) panels and battery storage at their community hall. The Strathmartine Community Resilience Forum received just over £12,000 to purchase community flood kits for vulnerable households and storage space for the equipment.

-- Advertisement --

Across the Highlands, the Aultbea Community Hub, a former church, has been granted £20,000 to install solar panels and battery storage to improve energy efficiency. The Evanton Community Trust also received £20,000 for solar PV and battery storage at the village’s Jubilee Hall. Dorne & District Community Trust's project was awarded just over £16,000 to install an air source heat pump and other energy efficiency measures at a community hub.

On the resilience front in the Highlands, Tongue, Melness & Skerray Community Council will use their £7,882 to purchase portable backup power stations and firefighting equipment. The Keltybridge & Maryburgh Water Association project is receiving £8,250 to install battery storage to ensure continuous water treatment during power outages.

In Shetland, two community groups have been successful. Walls Community Hall will use their £6,000 award to acquire mobile communications equipment to support vulnerable residents. South Nesting Community Hall will install an external generator connection socket with a changeover switch to enhance their resilience.

On the Western Isles, the North Uist Development Company received £20,000 to install solar PV and battery storage at the Environmental Centre at the former Lochmaddy Primary School. The Hebridean Trust will use their £11,918 to carry out electrical works at the Martin Boyd Exhibition Hall, creating a multi-purpose community hub that can serve as a safe and warm space during emergencies.

Andy Smith, SSEN Distribution’s Operations Director for the north of Scotland, expressed his delight at the positive response to the fund. "We’re delighted that this first year of our Powering Communities to Net Zero fund has been met with such a positive response, with applications coming in from communities large and small across the north of Scotland."

He added, "The variety of applications has been particularly impressive, and whether it’s taking the initiative and making plans to become more resilient or thinking of how they can decarbonise their day-to-day activities, all of the communities who submitted their applications are to be commended. We’re proud to be supporting everyone’s laudable ambitions and wish our applicants nothing but success with their endeavours."