Households living within 500 metres of major new electricity transmission projects in Scotland's North-east can get £2,500 off their energy bills under a UK government scheme, paid out as £250 a year for 10 years. First payments are due to begin next year.
The discount covers homes near new or upgraded 400kV lines and substations that SSEN Transmission is building across the North-east power grid. The North-east projects in the scheme's first wave of 43 include:
- The Beauly-Peterhead 400kV overhead line
- The Kintore-Tealing 400kV overhead line
- New substations at Hurlie, Greens near New Deer, and Emmock
- The Netherton Hub
How the scheme works
A project qualifies once it has secured the necessary consents and main construction has begun. Schemes where construction started on or after March 10, 2025 are eligible. Most qualifying households will get the discount automatically through their electricity supplier every six months. Some, including those on commercial meters, may have to apply. Households expected to qualify will be contacted by their supplier or Ofgem in the first half of next year.
What officials said
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said the government is "determined those communities which host pylons should benefit" from hosting the infrastructure. SSEN Transmission's Director of Customers and Stakeholders, Christianna Logan, pointed to the company's planned £29 billion investment program, saying the work is aimed at "leaving a lasting legacy" for the communities it serves.
Russell Borthwick, chief executive of Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce, said the North-east will carry much of the new infrastructure. He said grid investment is needed to reach "the full potential of ScotWind," pointing to the billions of pounds of investment and thousands of jobs he said could follow. He added that "community benefit must go hand-in-hand with economic benefit."
