Peterborough is going to be at the heart of a major new energy project as locally based National Gas announced three sites across the UK to invest in both maintaining energy security today and driving for net zero.
National Gas today announced a £350 million investment in the UK, with new equipment to be installed in Peterborough, St Fergus and Wormington, with the work being completed by 2030 and in the process, supporting 1,000 jobs in the UK. Over 100 of the jobs will be in Peterborough.
The announcement was made alongside a visit to the Peterborough site by Industry Minister Sarah Jones MP, who toured the facility alongside City MPs Andrew Pakes and Sam Carling, as well as Peterborough City Council Leader Cllr Dennis Jones.
The equipment will be manufactured by Siemens Energy, Baker Hughes and Solar Turbines, and installed by Murphy and United Living Infrastructure Services, and are specifically designed to be hydrogen-ready, ensuring Great Britain’s critical energy infrastructure is ready for the transition to low-carbon gases.
The new compressors will operate using natural gas today but are
, supporting both the existing system and low-carbon gases. In addition, the increased efficiency of the new gas compressors will ensure they emit less carbon than their predecessors.
National Gas has a key role to play in the Government’s drive to make the UK a clean energy superpower and today’s announcement will help to support that.
The announcement cements Peterborough’s ambitions to be at the heart of the clean energy and hydrogen. ARU Peterborough is already working on plans for a clean energy centre and Peterborough College has recently built its new Green Technology Centre to train the next generation in green skills and apprenticeships.
Jon Butterworth, CEO of National Gas, said:
“Today’s announcement is a major milestone for our business – signalling the end of the hard-working gas compressors that have given us over six decades’ of service and ushering in a new dawn under those that will power our net zero future.
“This investment will allow our world-class gas National Transmission System to maintain Great Britain’s energy security, complementing our renewable energy mix to provide power to power stations, industries and businesses long after we achieve clean power in 2030.”
Industry Minister Sarah Jones said:
“National Gas’ investment will support jobs while strengthening the resilience of our gas network, which will be crucial as we work towards achieving clean power by 2030.
“As part of our Plan for Change, gas will continue to play a role to ensure security of supply, alongside clean, homegrown power.”
Many of the new gas compressors will be manufactured at domestic sites too, confirming the equipment powering Great Britain for decades to come is made here on British soil.
The new equipment will ensure National Gas can maintain Great Britain’s energy security – using the 5,000 miles of pipes across its world-class National Transmission System (NTS) to provide gas to power stations, industries, and more than half a million businesses.
Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough, said:
“Peterborough is fast becoming the King’s Cross of hydrogen – a hub where innovation, infrastructure and ambition meet. National Gas’s investment is a landmark moment for our constituency, laying the groundwork for a cleaner, greener energy network.
“Hydrogen has a critical role in the future of British energy and our path to net zero. Projects like this show how we can transition to a low-carbon future while boosting jobs, skills and the local economy in our area.”
Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire, said:
“This major investment by National Gas marks a vital step toward our clean energy future. With Peterborough at the heart of this transformation, it’s fantastic to see new, hydrogen-ready infrastructure coming to our region.
“These new gas compressors will not only strengthen energy security but also help us lead the way in delivering net zero. It’s a powerful example of how local action can contribute to the national ambition of becoming a clean energy superpower.”
