We are committed to being a good neighbour to the local communities in which we work and operate.

Over the course of the project, our community relations team will keep people informed of our works, respond quickly to any queries and help support local good causes and the environment.

EGL1 Community Benefit Fund

EGL1 is one of the first three electricity transmission projects in the UK to be given a dedicated Community Benefit Fund.

The £8 million Community Benefit Fund will support local communities in England and Scotland to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits, and will be split evenly between the two regions.

We want to ensure that communities gain the maximum possible benefit from this fund and are actively engaging with local communities and representatives, to ensure that initiatives respond to local needs and maximise benefits for local communities and the wider regions.

As a business regulated by Ofgem, we must deliver best value for consumers and the communities we serve. We will be transparent in our approach, reporting on the impacts that our funding delivers.

Community Benefit Fund Scotland

Community Benefit Fund Scotland

The Community Benefit Fund supports communities located along the Scottish section of the Eastern Green Link 1 (EGL1) project. EGL1 is a major electricity transmission development that will transport renewable energy via a subsea cable from East Lothian to County Durham.

The project is eligible for community benefit funding in accordance with current government guidance.

Further information: EGL1 Project Profile

Funding Themes

The Community Benefit Fund will support projects aligned with the following themes:

  • Financial resilience and educational inclusion
  • Employability support and skills development
  • Social and digital inclusion, health and wellbeing, and active lifestyles
  • Community facilities, spaces and buildings
  • Green spaces and access to the natural environment
  • Sustainable and inclusive transport

These themes will be considered alongside locally identified priorities. Community input will play an important role in determining how funding is allocated.

Community Engagement

We are currently undertaking consultation with communities in the following Community Council areas:

  • East Lammermuir
  • West Barns
  • Dunbar
  • Cockburnspath and Cove

If you live or work within one of these areas, you are invited to share your views on local priorities.

Provide feedback here:

Cockburnspath and Cove: Highlight your priorities for the Community Benefit Fund in Cockburnspath and Cove – Collaboration

Dunbar and West Barns: Highlight your priorities for the Community Benefit Fund in Dunbar and West Barns – Collaboration

East Lammermuir: Highlight your priorities for the Community Benefit Fund in East Lammermuir – Collaboration

Fund Structure

The total value of the Community Benefit Fund for the Scottish section of EGL1 is:

£4,000,000

The fund will be delivered through two funding streams:

Strategic Partnership Projects (80%)

  • Focus: Strategic projects aligned to identified priorities by local communi
  • Eligibility: East Lammermuir Community Council area

Local Fund (20%)

  • Grant value: £800,000
  • Delivered over two funding rounds
  • Eligibility: All four Community Council areas

Any unallocated funding from initial rounds will be carried forward to future rounds until all funding has been distributed.

Programme Timeline

Community consultation is currently underway across all four Community Council areas. Feedback gathered during this period will inform funding priorities and decision-making.

  • Consultation period closes: End of August 2026
  • Anticipated application window: September 2026

Community Benefit Fund in England

Community Benefit Fund in England

We are using some of the fund available in England to establish a Local Community Fund, which is now open for applications. This fund is operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission and has been created by working closely with charitable organisations and community members to make sure it meets local need.

Grants of up to £20,000 are available to fund projects that address local community needs in one or more of the following themes:

  • Providing education and Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) opportunities
  • Protecting the environment and ensuring access to green spaces 
  • Improving community spaces and saving energy
  • Helping with the cost of living and supporting employability 
  • Encouraging physical health and activity 
  • Supporting mental health and wellbeing 

Grant funding is available during our construction period, which is expected to complete in 2029. Click here to learn more about eligibility and how to apply.

Separate to this local fund, we are working to build strategic partnerships and programmes that deliver lasting social, environmental and economic benefits across the region.