SSEN Transmission has announced two landmark housing agreements aimed at supporting the delivery of new homes across Scottish communities, marking the first step in its wider commitment to help enable 1,000 new homes across the north of Scotland.

The initiative forms part of the company's major investment programme to upgrade the region’s electricity transmission grid, supporting the UK's clean energy goals and strengthening long-term energy security.

The new agreements will see SSEN Transmission contribute to the development of almost 100 new homes in the Western Isles and a further 47 homes in Brechin, Angus.

The announcement was formally recognised by Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes during a visit to Lewis, where she toured the Stornoway Airport Housing Development and met with representatives from the organisations involved, including local apprentices currently working on site.

At Stornoway Airport, plans are in place for up to 94 new homes following significant financial support from SSEN Transmission to fund essential preparatory works. The development, led by local company CalMax Construction, is expected to be completed by the end of 2027.

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Initially, the new homes will provide accommodation for workers involved in constructing SSEN Transmission’s proposed Lewis Hub project. Once that phase is complete, the properties will transition to serve the wider community, with the majority designated as affordable housing through a partnership between CalMax Construction and Tighean Innse Gall (TIG).

In Brechin, SSEN Transmission is supporting the delivery of 47 new homes through a multi-million-pound funding boost for the Brechin Infirmary Housing Development. The investment, which relates to the proposed Kintore to Tealing 400kV overhead line project, will enable North East-based developer the CHAP Group to complete the new homes by the end of 2027. Initially, the properties will accommodate workers building the new overhead line before being made available as affordable and social housing for the local community.

Initial funding unlocks the developments and enables activities to progress, and SSEN Transmission intends to provide further significant, multi-million-pound funding for construction works.

SSEN Transmission plans further announcements about more new housing projects to support the delivery of its investment plans in the weeks and months ahead.

Beyond boosting local housing supplies, SSEN Transmission's housing commitment highlights the broader social and economic benefits of investment in the country’s electricity transmission infrastructure – creating jobs, apprenticeships, and long-term community value.

Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said: "Scotland's enormous renewables capabilities offer an unprecedented opportunity to create jobs and deliver economic growth across our local, regional and national economies for decades to come. It is of course vital to ensure that the supporting infrastructure, including housing, is in place to support the workforces and communities that this opportunity presents.

"This will take a shared endeavour, with the public and private sectors working together to ensure that the right homes are delivered in the right place at the right time. SSEN Transmission’s commitment to support the creation of 1,000 new homes across the north of Scotland is a welcome example of this working in practice and I look forward to the delivery of the initiative benefitting local communities for generations to come."