SGN Natural Gas, the gas network operator for areas of Fermanagh, alongside Northern Ireland's four other Gas Network Operators - Phoenix Natural Gas, firmus energy, Mutual Energy and GNI(UK) – have collectively launched their joint plan to fully decarbonise the region’s gas network by 2050.

Named the Pathway to Net-Zero, this plan charts out how the gas network will transition away from natural gas to renewable alternatives such as biomethane and hydrogen to support Northern Ireland’s emission targets.

As the gas network operator for the west of the province, SGN Natural Gas will be working to deliver this plan in a number of key towns such as Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane.

The injection of biomethane into the Northern Ireland gas grid is expected to commence as soon as 2023 whilst significant work is underway to accommodate green hydrogen by the middle of this decade. Fully transitioning to renewable gases will reduce regional CO₂ emissions by around 1.4 million tonnes per annum.

Decarbonising the gas rather than changing the heating system will offer nearly 550,000 gas users an affordable transition to net-zero with minimal disruption, enabling customers to continue enjoying all the convenience and benefits of a gas heating system safe in the knowledge that the gas they use will be 100 per cent renewable by 2050.

David Butler, Director of SGN Natural Gas, said: “With climate change being arguably the biggest challenge facing our planet today, this plan signifies a huge, positive step in Northern Ireland’s own decarbonisation journey. It was great to team up with the other network operators to produce this collaborative plan and we’re delighted to now be able to unveil this to the public and our stakeholders.

“Not only is this a major announcement for Northern Ireland, but also for our own network area. As Northern Ireland's newest gas network, our state-of-the-art infrastructure is already set up to receive 100 per cent biomethane, with a planned injection into the pipelines by early 2023. And with levels of biomethane higher here than in other parts of the world, leveraging these considerations and becoming a world leader in new, green energy is a very real opportunity for our region.”

The transition to using renewable gases offers the opportunity for Northern Ireland to grow its green economy by investing in indigenous renewable gas production which in turn will support economic growth and job creation across the region.

Queen’s University Belfast has established that there is sufficient biomethane production potential from Northern Ireland’s large agricultural sector to meet over 80% of the region’s current gas distribution network demand. Similarly, Northern Ireland’s significant levels of excess wind generation can be harnessed to produce green hydrogen.

Rather than importing energy, Northern Ireland has the opportunity to take advantage of its excellent renewable gas production potential to become energy self-sufficient and, in the long term, a significant energy exporter.

Welcoming the gas network’s ambitious proposals, Declan Billington, Chair of the CBI NI Energy Working Group, commented: “In the future Northern Ireland’s world leading products will be judged not just on price but also their carbon footprint. The swift incorporation of renewable gases into the gas network will be crucial to support the decarbonisation of our industrial sector and allow us to remain competitive in global markets.”

Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) deputy president William Irvine said: “The Gas Network Pathway to Net-Zero further recognises the significant cross sectoral benefits of biomethane injection and demonstrates the opportunity for biomethane, and the wider agricultural sector, to play a major role in Northern Ireland’s energy transition. We hope its publication will encourage key decision makers to make our aspirations a reality.”