Gas
Northern Ireland gas industry
Natural gas was first introduced to Northern Ireland in 1996. Natural gas is transported from Great Britain mostly through Scotland Northern Ireland pipeline and occasionally through the South North pipeline.
The high-pressure gas transmission network here is operated by four companies, Gas Networks Ireland (GNI UK), Premier Transmission Limited (PTL); Belfast Gas Transmission Ltd (BGTL) and West Transmission Ltd (WTL). The Gas Market Operator for Northern Ireland manages the transmission market on behalf of these four companies.
The lower pressure distribution network is operated by Phoenix Energy (Greater Belfast and East Down); Kinecx Energy 1 (‘Ten Towns’) and Evolve (western parts of Northern Ireland). The number of homes and businesses connected to the gas network is regularly monitored by the Utility Regulator as part of the Quarterly Retail Energy Market Monitoring report.
1 Changed from firmus energy in October 2025.
Path to Net Zero Energy
The Energy Strategy for Northern Ireland “The Path to Net Zero Energy”, published in 2021, which recognised natural gas as a transition fuel on the pathway to net zero carbon; and that gas decarbonisation must be achieved in order to address climate change issues and meet our net zero goals.
The Energy Strategy Action Plan 2025 published in March 2025 marks a further significant milestone on our journey towards the long-term vision of net zero by 2050 and self-sufficiency in affordable renewable energy.
Biomethane
Given Northern Ireland’s strong agricultural and agri-food base, there is considerable potential for locally produced biomethane. Biomethane could help us to become self-sufficient in affordable renewable energy and contribute to delivering the carbon emission reduction targets in the Climate Change Act. A key milestone was reached in November 2023 with the first injection of biomethane into the gas network at Dungannon.
Our challenge is to develop an effective policy framework which could unlock the biomethane economy and help the sector to become economically viable without long-term subsidies.
In 2024, the department issued a call for evidence, to establish the cost of producing biomethane locally and options for developing the industry in NI. A response report was published in 2025 which is helping to inform the development of biomethane policy for Northern Ireland. As part of this work, DfE is currently working on a number of biomethane actions to support the sustainability of biomethane being utilised in the gas network in Northern Ireland. Key areas of focus include:
- Progressing Support Mechanisms.
- Gas Network Connection Costs.
- Investigating Standards/Certifications.
DfE remains committed to fostering the development of a robust and sustainable biomethane sector and will continue to collaborate with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Utility Regulator, and other key stakeholders to support the development and deployment of biomethane in Northern Ireland.
- Developing biomethane production in Northern Ireland call for evidence
- Biomethane Call for Evidence Response Report
Hydrogen
DfE is committed to reducing carbon emissions, working towards delivering one of the Minister’s major objectives, and the Energy Strategy recognised that hydrogen could play a key role in decarbonising power and providing energy security and system flexibility. Northern Ireland can produce low carbon hydrogen with gaseous hydrogen and its derivatives (e.g. eFuels) contributing to decarbonisation across sectors such as industry, power and providing flexibility in our energy networks.
In September 2025, the Department published a hydrogen policy consultation that set out preferred policy positions for the production, storage, transport and use of hydrogen as a fuel. It also covers the development of the local hydrogen sector and the supporting regulatory framework. This will help in the development of a local hydrogen policy and next steps for the local hydrogen industry.
Cooperation
The Department for the Economy is continuing to work closely with the Utility Regulator and the gas industry on decarbonisation initiatives, as well as on ensuring that energy policy and legislative requirements are delivered in Northern Ireland as our energy systems evolve towards net zero by 2050.
There is significant liaison with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) in London, and contact with the Department for Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE), in Dublin, in relation to a range of gas market issues, including security of supply.
The department also continues to engage with other Northern Ireland departments, including DAERA and other stakeholders, in relation to actions in support of decarbonisation of the gas network and wider opportunities in the production of biomethane.
Gas legislation
The overall legislative framework for the gas industry in Northern Ireland is provided through primary legislation in the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996 and the Energy (Northern Ireland) Order 2003, which have been significantly amended in compliance with EU legislation and, more recently, to take account of EU exit. There are also primary legislation provisions for gas under the Energy Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
DfE also makes subordinate legislation under powers provided within the primary legislation for gas and this has included several Gas (Designation of Pipelines) Orders, the Gas (Applications for Licences and Extensions Regulations (NI) 1996, the Gas (Supplier of Last Resort) Regulations (NI) 2009 and the Gas (Individual Standards of Performance) Regulations (NI) 2014.
Gas-related legislation is published on GOV.UK website
Gas licences
Gas licences (conveyance, storage and supply of methane gas) are granted by the Utility Regulator under Article 8 of the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.
Information on the procedures governing applications for the granting of gas licences can be accessed at the Utility Regulator (UR) website at Gas licences - UR website
Gas wayleaves
The procedures governing the grant by the department of necessary (or compulsory) wayleaves for the installation or retention of gas pipelines are contained in paragraphs 10-12 of Schedule 3 to the Gas (Northern Ireland) Order 1996.
Guidance:
For information about how DfE processes any personal data in connection with gas necessary wayleave applications and gas tree cutting applications, see our privacy notice: