WATCH: Peterborough MP plea to Prime Minister for help to ensure success of new energy centre

Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes has urged the Prime Minister to take action to help fill a skills gap he fears could impact the operations of a new multi-million pound energy centre in the city.

Mr Pakes sounded the alarm during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons and warned that a shortage of skills and training could undermine the planned national energy centre being created at Gasworks Lane, which is expected to create 100 jobs in the city.

His call comes just weeks after National Gas announced it proposed a £350 million investment in the UK with new equipment to be installed at its site in Gasworks Road, Peterborough, as well as at two others across the country.

It intends to complete a multi-million pound investment to upgrade and install new vital gas compressors at Peterborough’s National Gas Compressor Station.

It is expected that the venture will put Peterborough at the heart of a new energy project by National Gas as it invests in maintaining energy security and driving for net zero for the UK.

Mr Pakes told MPs: “This investment will make Peterborough the centre of the nation’s core gas and hydrogen energy network.

"But one of the big challenges that infrastructure projects like this face is the lack of available skills and training for young people.

He said: “So can I ask the Prime Minister what more he can do to boost apprenticeships in places like mine and ensure we create the opportunities this country so desperately needs.”

In reply, Prime Minister Kier Starmer said: “We are ensuring we’ve got skilled workers that we need, launching Skills England and our new skills and growth offer to encourage even more apprenticeships and supporting the industry-led plan for hydrogen to deliver the workforce needed for the industry of the future.”

The net zero transition is a huge opportunity for this country.

"We have almost £44 billion of investment since July and that will deliver jobs across the country.”

National Gas says the new compressors at the Peterborough site will operate using natural gas today but are fully prepared for the transition to hydrogen and natural gas blends, supporting the existing system and low-carbon gases.