Biomethane Modifications to Gas Conveyance Licences – consultation and notice

We have published a notice of and consultation on proposed modifications to the gas conveyance licences of: 

• SGN Evolve Network Ltd.
• Firmus energy (Distribution) Limited.
• Phoenix Energy Group Ltd.
• Belfast Gas Transmission Limited.
• Premier Transmission Limited.
• West Transmission Limited.
• GNI (UK) Limited.

The proposed modifications are technical modifications to underpin access for gas from renewable energy sources to the network. 

They cover definitions, connection arrangements, planning and operational arrangements, conveyance charging arrangements as well as licensed area and exclusivity arrangements.

We consider that the proposed licence modifications will have the following key effects: 

• Transparency for both licence holders and wider industry on reasonable expectations in relation to connections for introducing gas into the network.
• Inclusion of an obligation in the gas conveyances to facilitate connections for introducing gas into the network, subject to pre-defined exceptions.
• Applicability of entry charging in the gas transmission system extending to the entry of renewable gases such as biomethane.
• Enhancement of the robustness of the regulatory framework and improvement of the consistency, clarity and accuracy of licence drafting.
• Facilitation of the achievement of our statutory duties in relation to gas.

Our consultation paper on the proposed licence modifications includes eight annexes which are outlined below and can be accessed through the link here: 

• Annex A: SGN Evolve Network Ltd – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex B: Firmus Energy (Distribution) Limited – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex C: Phoenix Energy Group Ltd – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex D: Belfast Gas Transmission Limited – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex E: Premier Transmission Limited – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex F: West Transmission Limited – Proposed Modifications.
• Annex G: GNI (UK) Limited – Proposed Licence Modifications.
• Annex H: Notice under Article 14(2) of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.

We welcome industry and stakeholder views and comments on the licence modification proposals and their effect. Any representations or objections with respect to the proposals may be made on or before 5:00pm on 22 October 2025. 

Our preference would be for responses to be submitted by email to Gas_Networks_responses@uregni.gov.uk with cc to veronika.gallagher@uregni.gov.uk

Additional Information: 

• Your response may be made public by the Utility Regulator. If you do not want all or part of your response or name made public, please state this clearly in the response by marking your response as ‘CONFIDENTIAL’.
• If you want other information that you provide to be treated as confidential, please be aware that, under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must comply and which deals, amongst other things, with obligations of confidence. In view of this, it would be helpful if you could explain to us why you regard the information you have provided as confidential.
• Information provided in response to this consultation, including personal information, may be subject to publication or disclosure in accordance with the access to information regimes (these are primarily the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Data Protection Act 2018.
• As stated in the GDPR Privacy Statement for consumers and stakeholders, any personal data contained within your response will be deleted once the matter being consulted on has been concluded, though the substance of the response may be retained.
• Copies of all documents can be made available in large print, Braille, audio cassette and a variety of relevant minority languages if required.

Ways to respond