SSEN Transmission has committed to awarding an anticipated £1.8 billion worth of contracts to Highland firms, after becoming the first company to sign up to the region’s social value charter.
Sandy Mactaggart, director of offshore delivery at SSEN Transmission, signed the Highland Social Value Charter (HSVC) at the Highland Council’s headquarters in Inverness. The charter contains a series of social value expectations that the council has for companies investing in renewable energy infrastructure anywhere in the region.
In entering into this agreement, SSEN Transmission has committed to delivering a detailed set of benefits for Highland communities through its £22+ billion planned programme of investment to upgrade the electricity grid in the north of Scotland, subject to securing planning consent for Highland projects.
These gains for the Highlands include:
- £1.8 billion of contracts for local businesses
- Support over 2,200 jobs in the region
- An average salary of £55,000 for Highland employees
- 60% of new roles advertised with the Highlands as an optional work location
- Invest over £100 million in Highland housing and support the development of 500 permanent homes
- More than £200 million being spent on roads and bridges
- Boosting the Highland economy by up to £1.3 billion
In the coming days, SSEN Transmission said expects to announce the first of its housing legacy projects in the Highlands, following announcements earlier this month of new homes in Stornoway in the Western Isles and Brechin in Angus.
The organisation has also committed to regular, senior level update meetings with the Highland Council to ensure a strategic overview of proposed project delivery.
Sandy Mactaggart said, “We are delighted to be the first business to sign up to the Highland Social Value Charter. This is a landmark moment in ensuring that investment in a modern electricity grid to deliver energy security and enable economic development, will underpin the future Highland economy for decades to come and goes hand in hand with building stronger communities across the Highlands.
“Jobs, new housing, contracts for local businesses, and investment in roads and infrastructure all across the Highlands means more opportunities for more people to live and work here. That is the practical vision at the heart of the Social Value Charter, and why we are committed to working to maximise the local opportunities and benefits associated with our investment programme.”
Leader of The Highland Council, councillor Raymond Bremner, added, “The Highland social value charter is about ensuring that all areas of the Highlands benefit fully from the opportunities presented by renewable energy investment. The charter sits alongside our commitment to community wealth building – to take a more people centred approach to economic development, enabling wealth to remain within the Highlands.
“SSEN Transmission’s leadership in signing the Charter sets a strong example and will help unlock economic and social benefits for communities across the Highlands, as well as positioning us as the heartland of major infrastructure and green energy development.”
Roy MacGregor, chairman of Inverness-headquartered engineering services firm Global, commented, “The Highlands has enormous potential ahead of it – now investment must deliver real value for the people, businesses, and local infrastructure which underpins it. With the Social Value Charter, SSEN Transmission’s commitments on contracts for local firms, major road and bridge upgrades, and support for new housing all align with our region’s economic direction.
“What really matters is turning these commitments into lasting legacy. Investment in skills, infrastructure and homes will strengthen our workforce, keep talent here and give young people genuine reasons to build their futures in the Highlands. Of course, every project should face proper scrutiny. But we cannot lose sight of the bigger opportunity here. Modern grid infrastructure is essential if the Highlands is to compete and grow – and the commitments being made today deserve our full backing.”
