SSE Renewables awards £2.15m to projects across Highlands
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A renewables company is awarding £2.15 million to 'transformational' projects helping communities in the Highlands recover from the Covid-19 outbreak.
SSE Renewables said 23 projects from Lochaber to Inverness and from Speyside to Raasay would receive a share of the funds.
Among the schemes to benefit is Trees for Life's proposed rewilding centre at Dundreggan, which will receive £100,000. The centre is scheduled to open in 2022 and plans to be "a world-class, environmentally sensitive facility that will serve as a gateway to the wider landscape".
Energy schemes on Raasay and in the remote Knoydart peninsula are also among the beneficiaries.
The Highland Sustainable Development Fund was doubled by SSE Renewables in light of the impact of the pandemic, allowing more funding to be released to help the region cope during 2020 and to help grow the economy beyond that date.
SSE Renewables said the fund focused on projects which boost the economy, enhance skills opportunities and protect the heritage of the region. "One of the largest economic drivers in the Highlands is tourism, a sector that has been badly affected by the outbreak, and this year the fund is awarding over half a million pounds to tourism projects in the Highlands, helping them to recover and grow over the months and years ahead," a spokeswoman said.
Lord Jack McConnell, chairman of the Sustainable Development Fund, said: "These are difficult times for those who live, work and do business in Highland region. We have supported projects that provide hope for the future with more sustainable communities and jobs. And to make sure these projects happen we will be flexible in working with local organisations to meet the new circumstances."
Successful projects include a £300,000 to Raasay Development Trust to create a community owned hydro system which will be vital to boosting the local economy. Farmer Jones Academy CIC has been awarded £102,000 to provide training and apprenticeship provision which will be vital to support the recovery of local businesses.
Sarah MacKenzie, director of Farmer Jones Academy CIC, said: “With the support from SSE Renewables, we will be able to expand our accredited training portfolio, establish growing hubs and deliver early intervention farming, food and drink masterclasses to schools, community groups and local businesses within the Highlands. Due to the current pandemic, the need for local homegrown produce and talent has never been greater.”
Other projects benefitting from funding include £115,000 to build affordable community housing in Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston, £47,139 towards the creation of a training academy in Inverness, £37,096 to complete restoration of Castle Roy heritage site in the Cairngorms, and a £174,456 grant to transform Dornoch police station into a community hub.
