Gas compressors are part of our national gas transmission system which is important national infrastructure. They raise the pressure of the gas which is transported more efficiently around the country through the underground pipework, to where it is needed for use in our homes and businesses.

Some of the gas compressors at our site are more than 30 years old and National Gas must ensure the gas transmission network and equipment is kept updated and continues to operate reliably.

The new compressor at Wormington Compressor Station will help us run the network more efficiently and create much lower emissions.

We are planning to retain one of the existing gas turbine driven compressors to be operated for a limited number of hours in an emergency, which is allowed by the MCPD (Medium Combustion Plant Directive) legislation. This will allow us to maintain the high levels of compressor availability that Wormington Compressor Station must provide. This allows us to keep the gas flowing under the full range of anticipated network conditions. We are currently reviewing the future use of the second of the two existing gas turbine driven compressors

We have been working closely with Ofgem, our government regulator, and they have confirmed they support the need for this work.

National Gas Transmission is committed to deliver at least 10% Environmental Net Gain, meaning we will leave biodiversity, the natural environment and the benefits it provides e.g Carbon capture and storage, clean air, clean water, health and wellbeing benefits and more, in a better state than it was prior to our development.

To achieve this, we have completed a number of assessments to develop our understanding of the existing habitats within and surrounding our site that will be impacted by our development.

Based on those studies we will use the latest tools to develop ways to improve and enhance habitats and the local environment through our development

We will work closely with Tewkesbury Council's environmental team, Natural England and other organisations to develop, agree and deliver our improvements.

We are in the front end engineering design (FEED) phase of the project and we are hoping to commence the main construction activity in 2027 ahead of our new compressor being delivered to site later that year. We are planning to complete the project in 2029 prior to the MCPD legislative deadline of 1 January 2030.

We wrote to our closest neighbours to inform them of our project plans. You can read a copy of the letter here.

We also attended Wormington Parish Council meeting in June 2024. You can view a copy of the presentation slides here.

National Gas colleagues volunteered at St Katherine's Church, Wormington earlier this year. Find out more here.

In December 2024 we hosted a site visit to our compressor station. 14 local residents attended to see our equipment and find out more about the important role Wormington plays in the National Transmission System.