In a bid to meet UK’s green energy targets more than 1,000 new homes are expected to be built across northern Scotland. This infrastructure grid is set to cost £20bn.
This project arose after anger amounted in rural areas about the modest financial benefits many communities that host windfarms, overhead lines and electricity substations receive from those projects. According to UK’s industry body RenewableUK this project is a “unique and novel”.
SSEN Transmission, a subsidiary of the electricity firm SSE, has signed a deal with local councils and housing associations in the Highlands to fund at least 1,000 new properties as well as the refurbishment of existing, unoccupied ones.
The company, which has a monopoly on building and maintaining the electricity grid in northern Scotland, plans to spend £20bn by 2030 to channel power from new offshore and onshore windfarms to be built as part of the UK government’s efforts to decarbonize the electricity supply.
What is more enticing about this project is that it is expected to employ thousands of workers across the Highlands, the Outer Hebrides and Orkney and Shetland – areas suffering from depopulation driven by an affordable housing crisis.
SSEN Transmission said it will fund the building of those homes by guaranteeing long-lease tenancies as a “pathfinder investment mechanism”, the bulk of them designed as affordable homes for local people.
This is a noble course that will aid in addressing the housing issues in the north of Scotland and create green jobs for the communities in the area. It is also important to see that the local communities will benefit from renewable profit, rather than the whole share going to the energy industries alone.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/22/more-than-1000-homes-linked-to-20bn-green-energy-grid-expected-to-be-built-in-highlands
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What a great initiative.green energy is our future and we all need to embrace it sooner for change.
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A powerful initiative it is. This project not only pushes forward the UK’s green energy goals but also invests in community welfare by addressing housing and creating green jobs in rural Scotland. It’s refreshing to see renewable projects benefit local communities directly.
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By linking housing development with renewable energy infrastructure, the project exemplifies a holistic approach to energy transition, ensuring that local populations are included in the benefits of green energy
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@ann_nyambura_542 Hear Hear. This project is a fantastic example of integrating housing and renewable energy development, fostering community inclusion and ensuring that local residents share in the benefits of a sustainable energy transition. It sets a great precedent for future initiatives.
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It’s an inspiring model for other regions aiming to balance sustainability with long-term growth.
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@frankoh_kihm_080 This approach showcases how renewable energy projects can drive both environmental and economic benefits, serving as a blueprint for other regions looking to achieve sustainable growth while addressing local needs. It’s a win-win for communities, the UK and the planet at large.
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This is a fantastic step toward green energy goals! This project will boost sustainability and housing in the Highlands.
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this will be a great achievement
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This is a great initiative that will benefit the local community while contributing to Scotland's commitment to renewable energy and reducing carbon emissions.
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@walter_lungayi Agree!💚✔
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“This is a significant and innovative contribution to addressing the housing challenges in the north of Scotland,