Scotland has long underpinned Britain's energy system. Via the National Transmission System (NTS), as much as 25% of the nation's gas flows from the St Fergus Gas Terminal to power stations, industry and households across Great Britain.

With the energy transition accelerating, sectors such as petrochemicals and gas-fired power are seeking ways to cut emissions. Many operations cannot readily electrify and instead require carbon capture solutions to decarbonise while protecting skilled jobs in core industries.

National Gas is backing the Scottish Cluster through SCO₂T Connect, described as Scotland's first-of-its-kind CO₂ transport system. The onshore pipeline is planned to carry captured carbon roughly 200 miles from emitter sites in areas including Mossmorran and Grangemouth to an interface at St Fergus, before being taken offshore for safe storage in depleted North Sea oil and gas fields as part of the Acorn Project.

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As part of recent engagement, MSPs visited National Gas's Avonbridge and Aberdeen compressor stations to see how the assets contribute to energy security today and to a lower‑carbon future.

Avonbridge, which hosts two of the network's 60 compressor units, plays a pivotal role in keeping gas moving across Scotland and further south. Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Transport Fiona Hyslop MSP and former Cabinet Secretary for Net Zero, Energy and Transport Michael Matheson MSP received a detailed briefing on the station's function in moving methane on the NTS and discussed its place in emerging hydrogen and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) programmes.

At Aberdeen Compressor Station, Alexander Burnett MSP met site teams on a cold day that underlined the importance of the three units pushing gas from the North Sea coast to the south to keep the lights on, power businesses and heat homes. Discussions also covered hydrogen and CCS and how existing infrastructure may be repurposed in the years ahead.

National Gas thanked colleagues at the two sites for their welcome, professionalism and commitment to operating the network safely and reliably.

Speaking about the visits, the Regional Director for Scotland and North of England, David Marshall said: "Welcoming key decision makers to see first-hand the excellent work that our teams do each day to meet the UK's energy needs really brings to life the importance of what we do.

"The enthusiasm and pride of everyone involved in keeping the gas flowing really resonates with our visitors too. Thank you to everyone involved in these visits and for being such great advocates of National Gas."