Muir of Ord group benefits from electricity hook-up as Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust invites fresh applications
A ROSS-SHIRE group was amongst beneficiaries of a fund that offers support to connect to the electricity network within the SSEN Distribution area.
The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust is an independent charitable trust set up in 1998 by Scottish Hydro Electric plc.
It considers applications for support with the cost of connecting to the electricity network for individual homeowners and also for community groups with charitable status.
The Trust is looking to support up to 75 per cent of the cost of connections for successful community projects and up to 50 per cent of the cost for individuals looking for support to meet the costs of a new domestic connection.
As a charity, it is required to means-test applications for domestic connections.
The next round of applications closes on Wednesday 14 May 2025, with future applications being considered by Trustees on a quarterly basis.
David Telford, Trust Chairman, said: “In the last year we awarded over £110,000 of grants in support of the cost of new connections to the electricity network throughout SSEN’s Scottish distribution area reaching north from Arran, Argyll and Bute, Perthshire, Dundee and Angus, to the Highlands, Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles and all points in between, with £16,300 of this total awarded to community projects providing significant benefit to their local communities.
“The Trust was initially set up to help those facing challenges connecting to the electricity network, particularly in some of our more rural mainland and island communities and we’re delighted to continue providing this vital support, both to individuals and to community groups nearly 30 years later.”
Muir of Ord Men’s Shed has received a grant to provide electricity to their social space and activity workshops in Muir of Ord.
David Taylor, the group’s chairperson, said: “The electrical supply is for four industrial cabins from which to form a social space, an activity space and a workshop where men over 18 can meet to enjoy social interaction and the exchange of ideas and skills.”
Further applications are welcome after the closing date of Wednesday, May 14 as the Trust meets on a quarterly basis to regularly consider applications.
For more information on the Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust, to apply online or download an application form, please visit www.shect.org.
