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 .
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 can be found at http://www.allislandproject.org
Consultations 2012
Closed Consultations
List of Closed Consultations 2011
List of Closed Consultations 2010
List of Closed Consultations 2009
What Role does the Consumer Council have in the market?
The Consumer Council is an independent statutory body that aims to promote and safeguard the interests of all consumers in Northern Ireland.
The Consumer Council has an energy section that deals with complaints and gives consumer advice about gas issues, liaise with customers, energy companies and other relevant parties, and undertake research and produce publications on issues such as fuel poverty, energy efficiency, renewable energy and fuel prices. Essentially The Consumer Council provides free, impartial information and handles complaints on behalf of consumers who have been unable to resolve problems directly with their gas supplier.
You can contact the Consumer Council by letter, telephone, fax or e-mail:
The Consumer Council
Elizabeth House
116 Holywood Road
Belfast
BT4 1NY
Tel: 028 9067 2488
Freephone complaints line: 0800 121 6022
Fax: 028 9065 7701
E-mail:
http://www.consumercouncil.org.uk
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.
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.
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.
Gas Licences
Details of how to apply for a gas supply licence, gas conveyance or gas storage licence can be accessed here
Access to register of gas licences
The register of all gas licensees are available for inspection at the offices of the Utility Regulator, Queens House, 14 Queens Street, Belfast, BT1 6ED. Click the location map to find our offices. Additionally, where a map or maps form part of the documents provided in support of the application these are also available for inspection. Documents can be inspected between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
You should contact Karen McConnell, 028 9031 6342 () to arrange a suitable time to inspect the documentation.
Current Gas Licence Holders
Conveyance Licences
Belfast Gas Transmission Ltd (formerly PNG T)
Phoenix Natural Gas Limited – Distribution
Supply Licences
Firmus Energy Ltd (Greater Belfast Area)
Northern Ireland Electricity plc
Airtricity Energy Supply NI Ltd
An application for a gas licence will now be assessed against DETI Licence Criteria.
Please find additional information on Gas (Applications for Licences and Extensions) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1996
Please note that being granted a licence does not mean that the Utility Regulator has given any endorsement to the applicant or any associated person, their financial status or their business plan or methods. The Utility Regulator does not give any guarantee or warranty that the licensee or any related person is ‘fit and proper’.