UK and Ireland communities received £13m funding boost from SSE last year

New report highlights wind and hydro-powered community investment for 878 local projects

A new report published by SSE highlights how communities across the UK and Ireland received a £13m funding boost last year from the company’s renewable energy activities.

In its annual Community Investment Review for 2024-25, published today, SSE Renewables details how it has backed nearly 900 community-based projects in the past 12 months with funding from its wind and hydro operations. 

In 2024/25 SSE Renewables delivered £12.9m of funding to 878 local projects across 150 local communities in Scotland, England, Ireland and Northern Ireland. These good causes include schools, care homes and museums among other organisations.

In Great Britain, £11.2m was awarded by SSE Renewables to 585 local projects. In Ireland, €1.4m (~£1.2m) was provided to 222 projects while in Northern Ireland funding of £0.47m was handed out to 71 projects.   

This year’s Community Investment Review demonstrates how every pound and euro of SSE community funding is spent across projects in the UK and Ireland. The report showcases the legacy impact communities are making every day with vital support from SSE to help initiatives enhance community wellbeing in remote areas – from boosting rural employability and tackling fuel poverty to building community-owned homes and investing in young people. 

Over the past 25 years clean energy champion SSE has directly channeled over £100m so far into communities across the UK and Ireland through the voluntary funding it provides from its offshore and onshore wind farms and hydro assets. These funds are co-designed with community representatives who lead on their decision making.

SSE’s wind and hydro-powered community investment strategy is designed to leave a positive impact on the rural communities where it operates.

Stephen Wheeler, Managing Director of SSE Renewables, said the report highlighted the contribution SSE’s renewable assets are making into local projects.

“At SSE, we know our success is interlinked with the well-being and prosperity of the communities in which we operate. We know the 150 local communities we work with are well placed to take the action needed to achieve critical priorities such as community wealth building and tackling depopulation.

“We are proud our community funds are developed and led by local people. It is a testament to the resilience and expertise of our communities that the 878 projects funded in the last year have created a significant local legacy. This includes developing opportunities for young people, increasing community ownership of assets and tackling fuel poverty.”

Sharing value

Tackling fuel poverty is a key priority for communities. In Scotland SSE has given £1.85m to the Highland Energy Efficiency Programme which is co-delivered with Highland Council to retrofit over 400 households.

SSE has also provided funding for Local Energy Scotland to help 33 Highland communities implement their own renewable energy projects.

Isla Farley, Development Officer, Local Energy Scotland said:

“SSE funding has ensured groups can continue on the journey to becoming net zero. By owning and operating their own renewable energy projects these community groups are empowered through generating local energy which will result in savings and profits which can be reinvested to further their charitable purposes.”

Ensuring rural communities remain a thriving place for families to live is a key priority and the development of 52 community owned homes have been supported across Scotland. 

Jewels Lang, CEO Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust, said:

“Inverfarigaige Housing is the first housing project that the Trust has developed, and we’re proud to see it come to life. The funding from the Glendoe Community Fund was key in allowing the project to progress and become financially sustainable.” 

Read the full SSE Renewables 2024-25 Community Investment Review here.