WATCH as Industry Minister heralds the key role Peterborough plays in UK's power network

This is the verdict of the Government’s Industry Minister Chris McDonald after National Gas announced a £870 million investment that will create 250 jobs and see the opening of the company’s east of England regional head office in Peterborough.

Following the official announcement at the company’s Peterborough Compressor Station, Mr McDonald said: “I just want to emphasise the importance of Peterborough to the UK.

“We rely on our gas network for heating our homes, keeping the lights on and for powering industry and it is this facility that is absolutely the beating heart of that, moving gas around the country.

He said: “I know a lot of the gas network isn't particularly visible, with a lot of it underground, but I think the people of Peterborough should be really proud of the facility they have here.

"And I want the rest of the country to understand how important Peterborough is to our energy system.”

Mr McDonald said: “National Gas is a major British company and they are choosing to raise £870 million, which is a huge amount of money, and make that investment here and it is a long term commitment in Peterborough to the future.”

Afterwards, Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes said: “I am, incredibly proud we are making this investment in Peterborough.

"It is nearly a billion pounds of new investment coming into Peterborough to the work we have around us here.

"It cements Peterborough’s position at the heart of the national gas network.

"It is about new jobs and bringing money into Peterborough and it is about making sure Peterborough and the country are at the forefront of the green revolution when it comes to jobs and energy.

He added: “It is a tough time for business and families facing a growing cost of living and announcements like this are a real boost for Peterborough.

"If you look at the city centre with the recent opening of Frasers, this investment and the expansion of ARU Peterborough – we are back on the map.

"My hope is that 2026 is about turning the corner, and investments like this demonstrate the confidence big companies have in Peterborough.

North West Cambridgeshire MP Sam Carling said: “The jobs that are coming in will be in the construction and engineering sectors and these are really high skilled and could be highly paid as well.

"They will offer opportunities for people to train up – and I have been speaking to a lot of apprentices here.”

The new headquarters will serve as the central operational hub for National Gas’s activities across Cambridgeshire, Essex, Kent, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Northamptonshire and Suffolk.

The new funding will support critical infrastructure projects in East England and will include updating the control systems at Kings Lynn and Diss’ compressor stations.

Last April, National Gas announced a multi-million pound investment to upgrade and install new vital gas compressors at Peterborough’s National Gas Compressor Station creating 100 jobs.

The new equipment is designed to ensure the nation’s energy infrastructure is ready for the transition to low-carbon gases.