RSPB Scotland new collaborative project with the Clyde Valley Waders Group
SSE has announced a record £24.9 million investment in communities during 2025/26, supporting 1,284 projects across the UK and Ireland and bringing its total community investment to date to more than £137 million.
Published today, SSE's Community Investment Review for 2025/26 shows how communities are using funding from across SSE Renewables, SSEN Transmission, SSEN Distribution, SSE Thermal and SSE Airtricity to deliver lasting social, economic and environmental benefits.
Over the past year, SSE-supported projects helped create or retain 214 jobs, awarded 268 scholarships, enhanced or built 99 community assets, enabled 481 schools to access STEM opportunities and supported 81 community energy projects.
Safeguarding retail, The Foyers Store
Across the UK and Ireland, communities are using SSE funding to deliver affordable housing, tackle fuel poverty, create skills and employment opportunities, develop community-owned energy projects and strengthen local services.
The review highlights projects ranging from community-owned housing developments in the Scottish Highlands and support for households experiencing extreme fuel poverty to opportunities for young people entering the fishing industry in Shetland and innovative community-owned energy schemes in South Lanarkshire.
The Shetland Fishing Youth Opportunity Programme
Rhian Kelly, Chief Sustainability Officer at SSE, said:
"Communities should share in the value created by the energy assets they host. Through our community investment programme, we are helping deliver local priorities, strengthen local economies and support communities to shape the future they want to see – in every postcode near to our major renewable developments.
"This year we have invested more than ever before, with a record £24.9 million supporting communities across the UK and Ireland. We are seeing first-hand how communities are using this funding to create jobs, tackle fuel poverty, develop affordable housing, support young people and strengthen local services.
"Since launching our community investment programmes, SSE has invested more than £137 million in communities. As we continue to invest in the electricity infrastructure needed to support energy security and future growth, we remain committed to ensuring communities benefit alongside that investment."
The review also highlights SSE's commitment to community-led decision making, with local communities helping shape funding priorities and independent community representatives playing a central role in investment decisions. This approach helps ensure investment reflects local priorities while creating long-term benefits for current and future generations.
As SSE continues to invest in renewable energy, electricity networks and wider energy infrastructure, community investment remains a core part of its approach, helping communities share in the economic, social and environmental benefits of that investment.
Read the review here.
Breakdown per Local Authority with example projects can be found in Notes to Editor.