The main construction phase of the ‘Gas to the West’ pipeline, which will bring natural gas to major towns in the western area of Northern Ireland including Enniskillen, has now been completed. The announcement was made during a recent event that was held to thank the local community, business partners and stakeholders who have supported the successful delivery of the project.

Representing an investment of over £250million, the ‘Gas to the West’ project is being delivered in partnership between SGN Natural Gas and Mutual Energy and has the potential to meet the energy needs of up to 40,000 homes and businesses across Counties Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry/Londonderry.

The final piece of the new network was commissioned in December 2019 with natural gas now available to Artigarvan, Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane.

Approximately 500 jobs were created during the construction phase which was applauded for its technical innovation including traversing almost 50 river crossings and significant roads including the M1 motorway.

It is anticipated that when fully completed, almost 600kms of pipeline will be in the ground in the wider network area.

Northern Ireland manufacturing companies who have already converted their production lines to natural gas across the newly extended network area, include LacPatrick Dairies, Encirc, Dale Farm, Moy Park and Linergy.

Economy Minister Diane Dodds has welcomed provision of the new gas infrastructure. She said: “I would like to congratulate Mutual Energy and SGN Natural Gas, and their contractors, on their success in delivering this significant energy project. The project has been supported with grant funding up to £31.6 million administered by the Department for the Economy.”

“I look forward to the continued roll-out of new gas distribution networks in each of the eight towns in the West, eventually providing some 40,000 business and domestic consumers with additional fuel choice,” she said.