BRINGING natural gas to Fermanagh has taken one step closer as a number of companies are set to compete over the coming weeks for the coveted licence to supply natural gas through a £2m investment throughout the west of the North.
Both Enniskillen and Derrylin have been earmarked as routes for the installation of gas lines, meaning nearby household and companies are able to avail of the new energy source.
Up to 7,000 connections, which includes households and businesses, will have access to the gas lines could save almost 20 percent on their energy bills.
Natural gas powers hundreds of thousands of buildings across the North, however, has yet to be made available to Fermanagh homes and buildings.
In January of last year, following a consultation, the Stormont executive gave the green light to the expansion, with proposed ‘new’ areas including Dungannon, Cookstown, Enniskillen, Derrylin, Omagh and Strabane.
It is not yet known which companies will be supplying to the west. However, Phoenix Natural Gas has registered a strong interest in becoming a supplier and are expected to submit an application to the Utility Regulator in the coming weeks.
Fermanagh’s biggest employer, Aventas Group, formerly the Quinn Group, will be one of the major companies to benefit from natural gas by saving the 11 plants significant amounts on their energy bills.
It is thought that the Utility Regulator’s proposal to bring gas pipe lines to Derrylin is the strongest indicator yet that Aventas has made a commitment to strengthen the company’s roots locally.
Quinn Glass managing director, Adrian Curry explained that it gives the Derrylin-based plant a more competitive edge.
He said: “Quinn Glass are supportive of the decision by the Northern Ireland Assembly to bring natural gas to Co Fermanagh.
“With a significant amount of our products being shipped to England and Scotland, where our competitors use natural gas as their primary energy source, it will allow us to compete on a more even basis.”
Any company who have an interest in supplying gas is eligible to apply for the licence, meaning local homes and businesses could be using gas from a outlet based in Britain or in the South.
Fermanagh SDLP councillor Frank Britton suggested that this will help stamp out fuel poverty and relieve business of rising energy bills.
“Natural gas is considerably cheaper than other fuel sources,” he said. “Most people today are having to use oil and coal, with the major source of energy coming from electric and oil.
“Natural gas is around 20% less than these other sources. So, it will help all businesses and households who are able to access the supply line, particularly those who have ‘fuel poverty’.”
But, he accepted that it is probably a few years yet before a natural gas supply will be fully operational, ‘and, from what we know, it’s not going to benefit large sectors of the county’.
Aside from that, he remained upbeat.
“It’s a very positive development, and one we have advocated for as we are particularly disadvantaged not having access to natural gas.”
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