SSEN Transmission has published a delivery proposal and the findings of its recent consultation for the £5.46m Skye Reinforcement Local Fund, and is inviting local stakeholders to share feedback by 14 September before final details are confirmed.

The fund will provide dedicated community benefit to areas hosting replacement infrastructure, covering all community council areas in Skye & Raasay, Glenelg & Arnisdale, Glengarry, and Fort Augustus & Glenmoriston.

Consultation took place in March and April to gather residents' views on priorities and how the fund should be designed. The consultation report summarises this feedback, highlighting local priorities, funding needs and preferred approaches to ensure long-lasting, meaningful benefits.

An initial fund proposal has now been set out, reflecting community preferences. It details the fund's priorities and structure, governance arrangements and eligibility criteria.

Stakeholders in the communities hosting the infrastructure are encouraged to respond to the proposal by emailing [email protected] before 14 September.

Subject to this further engagement, next steps will include publication of final fund details and applicant guidance; open recruitment for an independent Local Investment Forum (formerly a local decision-making panel); and ongoing support from SSEN Transmission's dedicated Community Fund Manager, who will oversee the fund's development and administration.

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The opening of the fund remains dependent on planning conditions for the Skye Reinforcement project being fully discharged and main construction commencing. It is currently anticipated that the fund will open by the end of 2026.

Dr Joanna Rodgers, SSEN Transmission's Community Fund Manager said: "We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views during the consultation for this important new fund. The fund proposal directly reflects the feedback received from organisations and residents across the Skye Reinforcement Project route who provided a clear steer on how this funding can best support their exciting plans and aspirations for communities across the area.

"We are committed to continuing to work in partnership with communities across the area to ensure that this fund delivers meaningful, long-term benefits, and we would encourage anyone with an interest to review the proposal and share any feedback before mid-September."

The Skye Reinforcement Local Fund aims to deliver long-term, sustainable investment in local communities, supporting a wide range of initiatives including community development and local resilience.

In line with UK Government guidance on community funds for transmission infrastructure, the fund comprises community benefit funding linked to the Skye Reinforcement Project. The total lifetime value is £5.46m.

The Skye Reinforcement Project will replace the existing overhead electricity line between Fort Augustus and Skye, strengthening the network to support security of supply, clean power and progress towards net zero. As part of the project, substations at Edinbane and Broadford will be extended, with upgrade works also planned at Fort Augustus Substation.

Further information on the consultation report and fund proposal, including how to provide feedback, is available on the Skye Reinforcement Local Fund page.