SSE has confirmed its largest annual community investment to date, allocating £24.9 million in 2025/26 to 1,284 initiatives across the UK and Ireland, lifting its cumulative support for communities to over £137 million.

The company's Community Investment Review 2025/26 details how funding from across SSE Renewables, SSEN Transmission, SSEN Distribution, SSE Thermal and SSE Airtricity is being used to create long-term social, economic and environmental benefits.

Over the year, supported projects created or safeguarded 214 jobs, awarded 268 scholarships, enhanced or built 99 community assets, opened STEM opportunities for 481 schools and backed 81 community energy schemes.

Across the UK and Ireland, grants are being used for affordable housing, targeted fuel poverty support, skills and employment programmes, community-owned energy, and to strengthen vital local services. Examples include community-led housing in the Scottish Highlands, assistance for households facing extreme fuel poverty, opportunities for young people entering Shetland's fishing industry, and innovative community energy schemes in South Lanarkshire.

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Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer at SSE, said: "Communities should share in the value created by the energy assets they host. Through our community investment programme, we are helping deliver local priorities, strengthen local economies and support communities to shape the future they want to see – in every postcode near to our major renewable developments.

"This year we have invested more than ever before, with a record £24.9 million supporting communities across the UK and Ireland. We are seeing first-hand how communities are using this funding to create jobs, tackle fuel poverty, develop affordable housing, support young people and strengthen local services.

"Since launching our community investment programmes, SSE has invested more than £137 million in communities. As we continue to invest in the electricity infrastructure needed to support energy security and future growth, we remain committed to ensuring communities benefit alongside that investment."

The review also underscores SSE's commitment to community-led decision-making, with local people helping to shape priorities and independent community representatives playing a central role in funding decisions, aligning investment with local needs while delivering long-term benefits for current and future generations.

As SSE expands investment in renewable energy, electricity networks and wider energy infrastructure, community funding remains integral to ensuring nearby communities share in the associated economic, social and environmental gains.

Selected awards this year include: £95,327 to New Start Highland to launch a hospitality and cookery school; £470,314 to Warmworks Scotland LLP for energy efficiency top-up grants in Shetland and Orkney; £150,000 to North East Scotland College for Aberdeen's Energy Transition Skills Hub; £100,000 to Pitlochry Community Action Trust for the Pitlochry All Wheels Park; and £100,000 to Oban Lorne Rugby Club to improve accessibility and safety.

The full Community Investment Review 2025/26 is available online.