A total of 63 community projects across Aberdeenshire, Angus, Perth and Kinross, and Clackmannanshire have each received up to £5,000 through SSEN Transmission's East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund.

The £252,000 awarded represents the first distribution from what is expected to become over £100 million in community benefit funding across the north of Scotland.

The East Coast 400kV Overhead Line Upgrade Local Fund supports projects located along the 170km route of the existing East Coast overhead line, which is being upgraded from 275kV to 400kV operation, stretching from Kintore in Aberdeenshire to north-east Clackmannanshire.

This initial fund focused specifically on projects that support health and wellbeing, identified as a key priority following consultation with local communities along the power line route.

Among the projects receiving funding are:

• Inverurie First Responders (Aberdeenshire): Awarded £5,000 to purchase essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and training equipment, including a specialised CPR training dummy.

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• Perth and Kinross Society for the Blind (Vision PK): Received £3,871 to deliver health and wellbeing workshops, including drumming, and strength and balance sessions.

• Ochils Mountain Rescue Team (Clackmannanshire): Secured £5,000 for vital rescue equipment, ensuring the team can continue to provide life-saving services safely and effectively in challenging environments.

• Angus Young Engineers: Granted £3,930 towards the purchase of a new electric kit car, which budding engineers will build and race, gaining valuable skills in the process.

Christianna Logan, SSEN Transmission's Director of Customers and Stakeholders, expressed her delight in announcing the awards, stating: "We are delighted to announce these awards from our East Coast Local Fund, the first local fund forming a key part of what we expect to be over £100m in community benefit funding for communities across the north of Scotland."

She further emphasised the community-driven nature of the fund, noting: "Engagement with local communities has been central to our approach towards developing the fund, with health and wellbeing identified as a priority following consultation with communities along the 170km length route of our East Coast overhead line."

SSEN Transmission is anticipating significant investment in communities across the north of Scotland, with the UK government recently publishing new guidance for community benefit funding. This funding is linked to SSEN Transmission's £20 billion investment in new high voltage onshore and offshore infrastructure, aimed at bolstering national energy security and supporting clean energy ambitions, while also creating substantial economic opportunities for local communities.

The company plans to launch three additional preliminary local funds this year for the Eastern Green Link 2 project, the Shetland HVDC Link, and the Inveraray - Crossaig 275kV Overhead Line upgrade.