A new facility at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus has opened to provide Gas Safe registered engineers with accredited training for working with hydrogen, supporting a major green energy trial.
In brief:
- Training for over 100 gas engineers has been set in motion this year at the newly launched centre.
- The training has been specifically designed to directly support SGN’s H100 Fife trial, which will supply green hydrogen to homes.
- Engineers have been provided with a clear path to gain an official hydrogen qualification, vital for the UK’s net-zero transition.
In detail:
The UK’s first dedicated hydrogen training centre for gas engineers has been officially opened at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus in Scotland, a collaborative effort between the college and energy network SGN.
The facility has been established to equip Gas Safe registered engineers with the essential skills and certifications needed to safely install, test and maintain hydrogen appliances and heating systems in homes, marking a significant step in the nation’s shift towards greener energy sources.
This initiative is directly linked to SGN’s pioneering H100 Fife project, which is scheduled to commence later this year and will be the first in the UK to supply green hydrogen for heating and cooking to homes through a new, purpose-built network.
The centre aims to train over 100 engineers in its first year, ensuring a qualified workforce is ready for this trial and the broader adoption of hydrogen technology.
The development of these courses has been a two-year collaborative effort involving SGN, Fife College, and key industry stakeholders including the certification body BPEC, Energy & Utility Skills and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).
The opening has been welcomed by industry leaders as a crucial development for the energy sector’s workforce.
GMB General Secretary, Gary Smith, said: “The opening of this hydrogen training centre is a milestone for the gas industry and its workforce. As we transition to a net-zero economy, it’s vital that we not only protect jobs but also ensure that workers are upskilled for the future.”
Smith added: “This centre will empower today’s engineers to safely work with hydrogen while preparing them for roles that will shape the transition to green energy. It’s a testament to the resilience of the workforce and their ability to adapt to the changing energy landscape.”
Engineers undergoing training at the Levenmouth facility will gain hands-on experience with a variety of hydrogen appliances and systems.
This practical training is supported by leading manufacturers such as Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Clean Burner Systems (CBS), Bosch Home Appliances, and MeteRSit.
Upon successful completion, each engineer will receive an official hydrogen qualification, which will be added to their Gas Safe registration – a mandatory certification for anyone working on domestic gas appliances in the UK.
SGN, CEO, Simon Kilonback, commented: “The opening of the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe engineers is a major milestone for SGN and the energy sector as a whole.”
Kilonback continued: “We’re excited to be working with the local community as we deliver our end-to-end hydrogen network in Fife. This is a key part of our wider plans to harness the potential of green gasses like hydrogen and biomethane to help decarbonise homes and businesses.”
The training will be delivered by expert trainers with experience in gas systems, further supported by industry professionals.
Trainees will include engineers from SGN, Baxi, Worcester Bosch, and Warmworks, who will be directly involved in converting homes for the H100 Fife trial. Staff from Fife Council are also set to be trained.
Fife College, Principal, Jim Metcalfe, said: “Fife College is proud to be a national leader in clean energy skills as we launch this dedicated hydrogen training facility. We are honoured to work in such a deep and innovative partnership with SGN.”
He elaborated: “Through this cutting-edge centre at our Levenmouth Campus, we are working to upskill over 100 engineers with the specialist knowledge needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero.
“This collaboration with SGN forms part of our wider commitment to sustainability, which also includes the opening of our new Dunfermline City Campus – Scotland’s first net-zero-ready vocational training campus – later this year.”
Heating in buildings currently accounts for over 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions, making the decarbonisation of heat a critical component of achieving national net-zero targets.
Hydrogen, which produces only water when burned, is considered a key low-carbon alternative to natural gas for heating homes and powering transport, alongside other technologies like biomethane and heat pumps.
The H100 Fife project will specifically use green hydrogen, produced via electrolysis powered by renewable energy sources such as wind, ensuring no carbon emissions in its production.
This trial is expected to provide crucial evidence to support government decisions on the future role of hydrogen in the UK’s energy mix.
Metcalfe noted: “Together, these landmark developments place Fife College at the forefront of delivering the skills and infrastructure needed to shape a more sustainable future for us all.”
