Gas

The Utility Regulator is responsible for regulating Northern Ireland’s gas industry. The main duties of the Gas Directorate are to promote the development and maintenance of an economic, efficient and co-ordinated gas industry. We also aim to protect the interests of gas consumers with regard to price and quality of service.

Northern Ireland’s Natural Gas Industry

Natural gas first arrived in Northern Ireland in 1996 and has since brought considerable environmental, economic and social benefits to Northern Ireland. It is the least polluting fossil fuel and its availability in an area provides greater fuel choice for industry. Natural gas also provides domestic customers with the opportunity to convert from inefficient central heating systems to highly efficient gas condensing boilers and in due course to domestic combined heating power.

Details of current licences, designated pipeline operators, gas distribution companies and gas supply companies in Northern Ireland can be found at the bottom of the page in the Gas Operators and Licence Holders section.

View a map of the current gas infrastructure Source: BGE .

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Common Arrangements for Gas (CAG) Project

As part of the European Union, Northern Ireland (NI) and the Republic of Ireland (RoI) are committed to the development of a Single European Gas Market. The European Commission has put in place an overarching legislative framework within which all member states are working to achieve the Single Gas Market which is designed to bring benefits to all European citizens and to contribute to Europe’s competitiveness.

Within this framework, cross border trading is developing and the interconnectivity of gas networks is increasing. Countries that are physically close are developing closer trading ties. In this environment the island of Ireland faces a unique challenge and a unique opportunity. On the one hand the island is far less interconnected than other mainland European jurisdictions but on the other, we have the opportunity to create common arrangements within the island, realising the benefits of this move for all consumers of gas and for the economies north and south. Furthermore, in the future it may be possible to align gas arrangements in both jurisdictions with that of Great Britain and the implementation of CAG will make this more feasible.

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Regulators was published on 7th April 2008 on the development of the Common Arrangements in Gas (CAG) project, under the All Island Energy Market Development Framework.

The Regulators are committed to working together to establish Common Arrangements for Gas for NI and RoI, whereby all stakeholders can buy, sell, transport, operate, develop and plan the natural gas market north and south of the border effectively on an all-island basis. This means that variations in the price and conditions on which gas is bought and sold will be determined by market conditions and economics, not by variations in regulatory arrangements.

Latest CAG consultations and publications (also see publications and news sections for full list):

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Open Consultations

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Closed Consultations

List of Closed Consultations 2010

List of Closed Consultations 2009

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Gas Operators and Licence Holders

Designated Pipeline Operators

Premier Transmission Limited (PTL) operate the Scotland to Northern Ireland (SNIP) pipeline.

Belfast Gas Transmission Limited (BGTL) are licensed to convey gas from Ballylumford Powerstation to the Greater Belfast and Larne areas.

BGE Northern Ireland (BGE (NI)) are licensed to convey gas in the North West Pipeline and the South North Pipeline.

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Northern Ireland Gas Distribution Companies

Phoenix Natural Gas Limited (PNG) operate the distribution network in the Greater Belfast and Larne areas.

firmus Energy are licensed for the conveyance of gas within the towns along the route of North West and South North Pipelines. firmus Energy is committed to the construction of distribution networks in the towns of: Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Londonderry, Limavady, Antrim, Armagh, Banbridge, Craigavon and Newry.

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Northern Ireland Gas Supply Companies

British Gas Trading (BGT), Premier Power and NIE each hold a license to supply gas within Ballylumford powerstation. Coolkeeragh (ESB) hold a licence to supply natural gas within Coolkeeragh powerstation. Bord Gais Eireann Energy Supply hold a licence to supply gas within both Northern Ireland powerstations.

Phoenix Supply Ltd, Viridian Energy Supply Ltd (Energia), firmus Energy, Power Gas Ventures and VAYU hold licences to supply gas within the Greater Belfast and Larne areas (where Phoenix Supply Ltd does not hold exclusivity).

firmus Energy hold a licence to supply gas within the towns along the route of the North West and South North pipelines.

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