Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), the Distribution Network Operator for the north of Scotland is welcoming applications for this year’s Powering Communities to Net Zero fund.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is encouraging local organisation to apply to the fund which will award £3m in shareholder-funded grants by 2028.
Applications are now open for the 2025/26 fund with a deadline of Wednesday 25 June. To be eligible for funding, your project must help communities that lie wholly within Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks’ Distribution network areas.
Application form and further details of the fund.
Last year, SSEN Distribution awarded £928,000 to 75 projects in its central southern England and north of Scotland licence area. Examples of funded projects.
The fund has two categories:
- Physical and environmental resilience
- To help fund the purchase of Low-Carbon Technologies
Community-led Physical and Environmental Resilience Grants
Last winter brought Storms Darragh and Éowyn - and with them some of the strongest winds in a decade. These storms were a reminder of the more volatile climate we’re all now living in, and the need to make the right preparations in response. Just over half of the coming year’s funding allocation will be to enable communities to apply for grants that will fund physical and environmental resilience measures. Grants of up to £15,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category, and further details of the criteria can be found in the fund guidance.
Low-carbon Technology Grants
The remaining share of the fund will be available for non-profit organisations to apply for grants to go towards the purchase of new Low-Carbon Technologies.
For example, a successful grant application could result in a social housing scheme or community centre being awarded funding to contribute to the cost of EV chargers, solar panels, battery storage or backup, low-carbon heating systems, or smart heating controls.
Applicants who’ve already carried out an energy audit to provide recommendations for what to install and to give an idea of potential cost savings will be considered favourably. Funding for energy-saving measures will be considered, but priority will be given to applications looking to install technology such as heat pumps, solar panels, and battery storage.
Grants of up to £20,000 will be awarded to successful applicants in this category.