One million metres
firmus energy has confirmed that it will be connecting its first customers in Moy, Co Tyrone later this year giving the company a presence in five counties and bringing the total amount of pipes laid to more than one million metres.
Natural Gas in 25 towns in Northern Ireland
With more than 76,000 customers across Northern Ireland, firmus energy has brought the convenient fuel to more than 25 cities, towns and villages across Northern Ireland and competes in the Greater Belfast market. The company has been operating in Northern Ireland for only ten years and the 1,000km milestone was always a strategic goal of firmus energy’s intensive development programme.
Michael Scott, managing director, explains: “We have invested more than £100 million in our network across Northern Ireland during the last decade and have brought natural gas to towns and cities which hadn’t previously been able to access this practical fuel.
“Since we connected our first commercial customer in December 2005, our ambitious growth strategy has gained momentum. Fast forward ten years to today and more than 90% of industry along the routes of our pipelines is now connected to our natural gas, which signifies how integral the fuel is to the economic landscape in Northern Ireland.
“Energy costs remain an important factor for our customers and we support businesses in tracking and understanding the reasons behind the fluctuations in the volatile energy market through a unique fuel forecasting matrix.
“Domestic customers very quickly realised the benefits of natural gas and we receive hundreds of queries from homeowners as to whether or not they can connect. To address this customer-driven demand, we are continually liaising with the Utility Regulator to secure permissions to expand our network into new areas.
“We most recently brought natural gas to homes and businesses in Bushmills and Richhill and will connect our first customer in Co Tyrone later this year, which opens up the accessibility of natural gas to thousands of homes and businesses in area.”
GD17 five year business plan
Following consultation with stakeholders and elected representatives, the company has also submitted an ambitious five year plan to the Utility Regulator lasting from 2017 to 2022. If approved, this would see the company invest a further £60 million developing its network over this period making natural gas available to a further 100,000 properties.
Michael continued: “So far we have exceeded our connection targets year on year with more than 4,000 new commercial and domestic customers annually and we estimate with our forecast growth plans, we can sustain this into the future. We are committed to our on-going investment programme to improve the availability of natural gas across Northern Ireland with continued employment opportunities for hundreds of local contractors, installers and support agencies.”
Sole NI member of Eurogas
firmus energy’s 100 strong team operates from its Antrim headquarters and the company remains the sole Northern Ireland member of Eurogas, the association representing the European gas wholesale, retail and distribution sectors. This gives the company unique access to information on a diverse range of gas-related topics and issues, which its team in Brussels covers.
Connecting to natural gas
If you are interested in connecting to our One million metres of natural gas mains; enter your postcode on the homepage, and check availability. Information in our help & advice section on 'connecting to natural gas' can be found there. Need more info? Chat with our friendly team on 0800 032 4567
