SSEN Transmission today announced the creation of a new local community benefit fund for Argyll, with more than £3 million of funding generated for communities hosting the electricity transmission infrastructure for the Argyll 275kV Reinforcement Project.

The fund is the first local one to be announced anywhere in Great Britain since the UK Government published new guidance in March governing community funds for electricity network infrastructure.

In total, more than £100m will be generated for community benefit funding across the SSEN Transmission area. The new Argyll fund will cover ten community council areas next to the project, with consultations planned for September. It is expected that the fund will be formally launched in early 2026.

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Announcing the Fund, Transmission Project Director James McColl said: "We are delighted to launch our £3m Argyll Local Community Benefit Fund that is dedicated to communities located close to our new 275kV Reinforcement Project in Argyll and Bute. We will be working with Argyll and Bute Council to build awareness of this funding within the local communities, and encourage applications from organisations keen to work with us to improve their local community."

Welcoming the announcement, MSP for Argyll and Bute Jenni Minto said: "This new Community Benefit Fund is a hugely welcome investment in Argyll and Bute’s future. It has the potential to make a real and lasting difference to the wellbeing of local communities by supporting projects that matter most to the people who live here."