SSEN Transmission becomes first signatory to Highland Social Value Charter

Creating opportunities for all people and places to prosper and to thrive through investment

SSEN Transmission has become the first company to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter (HSVC), marking a significant milestone in delivering long-term socio-economic benefits for communities across the Highlands.

Investment commitments from the company include funding for roads, new homes, jobs, and work for local contractors in addition to a local and regional fund for communities to apply to.

This aligns with one of the Council’s strategic priorities set out in Our Future Highland, to make the most of the financial and environmental opportunities arising from the huge renewable energy potential in the Highlands.

The HSVC, agreed by The Highland Council and the Community Planning Partnership Board in June 2024, sets out a nine-point plan to ensure that renewable energy and green infrastructure developments create lasting value for the whole region. Its aims include embedding community wealth-building principles, maximising economic opportunities, and supporting inclusive growth.

The HSVC is completely separate to any planning process. The Council has given the commitment that the Charter will ensure that if developments do get the go ahead, there is a clear benefit for our Highland communities and a lasting legacy.

Leader of The Highland Council, Councillor Raymond Bremner said:  "The Highland Social Value Charter is about ensuring that all areas of the Highlands benefit fully from the opportunities presented by renewable energy investment.

“The Charter sits alongside our commitment to community wealth building – to take a more people centred approach to economic development, enabling wealth to remain within the Highlands

“SSEN Transmission’s leadership in signing the Charter sets a strong example and will help unlock economic and social benefits for communities across the Highlands, as well as positioning us as the heartland of major infrastructure and green energy development."

SSEN Transmission’s commitment reflects its ambition to leave a positive legacy through its transmission projects. In addition to supporting decarbonisation, SSEN Transmission will deliver tangible benefits for Highland communities, including:

• £1.8bn of contracts for local businesses
• more than £200m spending on roads and bridges
• support for the development of 500 permanent homes
• 10% net gain in biodiversity and no net loss of woodland on all new projects 

SSEN Transmission’s initial commitments under the HSVC will evolve as projects progress over the next decade, ensuring a sustained and growing impact for Highland communities.

Speaking after signing the Charter, Sandy Mactaggart, SSEN Transmission’s Director of Offshore Delivery, said: “We are delighted to be the first business to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter. This is a landmark moment in ensuring that investment in a modern electricity grid to deliver energy security and enable economic development, will underpin the future Highland economy for decades to come and goes hand in hand with building stronger communities across the Highlands.  
 
“Jobs, new housing, contracts for local businesses, and investment in roads and infrastructure all across the Highlands means more opportunities for more people to live and work here. That is the practical vision at the heart of the Social Value Charter, and why we are committed to working to maximise the local opportunities and benefits associated with our investment programme.”

The Highland Council Convener, Councillor Bill Lobban added: “The charter challenges all energy companies to step up, setting out an offer which could see billions invested in jobs, housing, roads, community facilities and training in the coming years.

“This is a landmark moment for the Highlands. The people who live and work here are partners in all of this and the commitment shows how collaboration can deliver real benefits for communities across the length and breadth of the Highlands. From new homes to improved infrastructure and skills development, this approach will help ensure that renewable energy investment creates a lasting legacy.

For these potential developments to succeed Highland communities must be assured that development is done with them, for them and not to them."