Hydro Community Fund
At SSE Renewables, we are proud of our hydro heritage which has been vital to bringing clean energy to the north of Scotland for over 80 years. Our new £10 million community fund is open to projects that support residents in the community council areas which proudly host our hydro assets.
Project eligibility
The Hydro Community Fund priorities are:
- To protect the natural environment of the local area, including landscapes, natural habitats and biodiversity.
- To enhance access to safe, affordable and sustainable community transport opportunities and low-carbon solutions within the local area.
- To improve access to affordable, quality and safe housing, including developing community housing initiatives, enhancing local housing stock and improving home energy efficiency schemes.
- To encourage the establishment and sustainable economic growth of small businesses, including social enterprises.
- To develop and improve community assets and infrastructure such as halls, hubs and paths.
- To promote the physical and mental well-being of communities through community arts, culture, sports and recreation.
For this fund, the panel are also interested in projects that support education, skills development, and employment opportunities. However, no specific priority will be given, as all project areas will be considered equally.
Projects benefitting people in the following Community Council areas can apply:
You don’t need to be a registered charity to apply, but your organisation must have a constitution (governing document or set of rules) and not be set up for individual profit. If you are unsure if your group is eligible, please contact us for advice.
Fund timetable - 2025-2026
Application deadlines and panel dates:
| Deadline | Panel Meeting |
| Thursday 26th June 2025 | September 2025 |
| Saturday 13th December 2025 | February 2026 |
| Thursday 25th June 2026 | September 2026 |
How to apply
First, please read the guidance for the relevant Fund and then click the Application link to be taken to our online application portal.
The minimum amount the panel will consider for an application is £10,000 and the maximum is £100,000. Groups looking for funding of more than £100,000 in exceptional circumstances, should contact the Community Investment Manager (details below) before applying.
Hydro Community Fund
Click on the ‘Apply’ button below if you wish to begin a new application.
If you have started a grant application and saved your progress, you can return to it by logging in to our Community Investment Portal here and navigating to My Applications.
Continue an existing Hydro Community Fund application
Log on to the Community investment Portal
Hydro community fund Chair - open position
Due to the previous Chair's career change, SSE is currently seeking notes of interest from experienced community professionals for the Hydro Panel Chair position.
Interested? Find out more details of this opportunity here.
Funding Case Study
Hydro Community Fund secures a permanent home for Kingussie Bowling Club
Thanks to funding from the SSE Renewables Hydro Community Fund, Kingussie Bowling Club has purchased the land and clubhouse it has occupied since 1877, securing a permanent home after nearly 150 years of leasing.
The £20,000 grant enabled the club to buy its longstanding site on Spey Street from the Dochfour Estate, ending generations of uncertainty and opening the door to long-term planning. As Kingussie’s oldest sporting organisation, the club now has the freedom to invest in future improvements, develop its facilities, and strengthen its role in the local community.
With ownership secured, the club is poised to preserve its heritage while building a more sustainable and inclusive future for local sport.
“Kingussie Bowling Club is delighted to announce that, with funding from SSE Hydro, they have been able to purchase their Bowling Green. The Bowling Club is almost 150 years old and has always had to lease the land from a local Estate. The purchase will allow the Bowling Club to now develop a well-used community facility and grow all aspects of the club including its facilities. The real tribute to the SSE Hydro Fund is that a strong community club has now sustained its future. The Community Investment team were very straightforward to deal with and we can’t speak highly enough of them.”
John Robertson, Club Member and Fundraiser
Contact details
For further information about these Funds, please contact:
CASSIE McGUNNIGLE
Community Investment Manager
Email: cassie.mcgunnigle@sse.com
Tel: 01738 355542