Community Trust
The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust is an independent charitable trust. Through it we offer help to customers faced with high charges for an electricity connection within the Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution area, particularly those in rural areas.
Although we are not allowed to differentiate between customers or to cross-subsidise customer connection, the company is aware of the problems caused by high connection charges in rural communities.
The Trust was established in 1998 with independent Trustees appointed to award grants to offset high connection costs in deserving individual domestic cases and for special community projects.
The Scottish Hydro Electric Community Trust's registered charity number is SCO27243.
How to apply
First you should obtain a quotation for the electricity supply from the local Scottish Hydro Electric depot. The supply must be for a domestic property or a community project. It can be for a new property or to upgrade an existing supply.
Award conditions
- The property can be for domestic use or a community project which is not profit-making.
- Domestic properties must be the sole residence of the applicant.
- Planning permission, where required, should have been applied for.
- Applicants should be a member of the local community. Applications for holiday or second homes will not be considered.
- Applicants are required to provide information on the costs, funding and purpose of their project.
Levels of award
The level of award granted will be at the sole discretion of the Trustees. However, the normal level of assistance when granted is 30% of the connection costs.
Application form
To apply for an award, you should complete and return an application form to the connection manager who issued your connection quotation. The connection manager will prepare a report that details the connection work required and forward it, on your behalf, to the Trust Secretary. Alternatively, you may choose to return the application direct to the Trust Secretary.
The Trustees meet three times a year to consider applications. Your application must be received at least three weeks before a Trustees' meeting.
Award decision
You will be advised of the decision regarding your application as soon as possible after the Trustees' meeting at which your application was considered. The decision of the Trustees is final.