Community benefit fund opens for applications

APPLICATIONS are now open for SP Energy Networks’ new community benefit funding programme. Communities in Dumfries and Galloway can apply for a share of £2.24 million of funding available for hosting the crucial transmission infrastructure in the region. The funds are associated with transmission projects in the area including the delivery of a new substation in Sanquhar which will provide a total of £530,000 to communities in Royal Burgh of Sanquhar and District and Kirkconnel and Kelloholm. Further work in the region includes overhead lines and a substation in Stranoch, with New Luce community council sharing a £1.71 million total fund pot alongside Barrhill in South Ayrshire. Through its community benefit funding, eligible groups including local community organisations, charities, and social enterprises operating in qualifying areas are now being encouraged to apply for grants to help turn their ideas into action. Guy Jefferson, transmission managing Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “Our first tranche of community funding for 2026 is now live and we are encouraging eligible communities hosting and directly impacted by our transmission infrastructure to apply now through this new programme. “We believe our communities should share directly in the benefits of our projects, and we’re excited to be able to help them bring the ideas and initiatives that matter most to communities, to life." Fund applicants are required to deliver on at least one area of local improvement through their project. These areas include strengthening financial resilience, providing employability support, developing skills, promoting active lifestyles, improving community spaces and access to nature, enhancing green spaces, and advancing educational, social, digital, and transport inclusion. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts via email to [email protected] , phone on 02038725895 or the SP Energy Networks website. For more information, please visit spenergynetworks.co.uk/pages/community_benefits_funding.aspx