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

EGL1 Community Benefit Fund in Scotland now open

£800,000 of EGL1 Community Benefit Funds in Scotland is now open for applications.

The fund will support communities in Cockburnspath & Cove, Dunbar, East Lammermuir and West Barns, helping to deliver social, environmental and economic benefits that reflect local priorities.

The first round of funding is open from 28 September until 6 November (midnight) 2026.

Two funding streams are available:

  • Local Grants: Between £20,000 up to £500,000, managed by Foundation Scotland
  • Grassroots Grants: Between £1,000 up to £20,000, administered by Localgiving

To find out more about the funding available, eligibility and how to apply please see the appropriate Fund Administrators website linked above.

Our Fund Administrators will be hosting an online webinar on Wednesday 7 October 2026, 12:30pm to 1:30pm, to provide an overview of the funding, explain the application process, and answer questions from prospective applicants. This session is open to community organisations and groups interested in applying for funding. Details for joining will be emailed to you the day before the webinar. A recording of the webinar will also be shared here after the event.

Register your place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/eastern-green-link-1-egl1-webinar-tickets-2002424162574?aff=oddtdtcreator

For further information, contact the Community Benefit team at cb_egl1@spenergynetworks.co.uk

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.

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 communities
  • 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.

Community Benefit Fund in England

Community Benefit Fund in England

We have used some of the fund available in England to establish a Local Community Fund, which is now open forapplications. This fund is operated by National Grid Electricity Transmission and has been created by working closely withcharitable 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.