AQW 18309/17-22


Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry


Tabled Date: 04/05/2021
Answered On Date: 02/08/2021
Priority Written: No


Question:
To ask the Minister for the Economy to detail any plans to expand the mains gas network in East Londonderry, including Portrush.


Answer:
East Londonderry falls within the Ten Towns Licensed Network Area which is being developed by Firmus Energy. The company advises that, over the next three years, it plans to lay an additional 77.16km of new gas mains, with the aim of making natural gas available to an additional 7,681 households and businesses in the areas detailed in the table below:
Proposed Network Build Over Three Years (2021-2023)
Network Area
Proposed Length New Mains Laid (kms)
Additional Properties Passed as a Result of New Mains Laid
Limavady
13.08
1,421
Coleraine
49.40
4,652
Portstewart
14.68
1,608
Totals
77.16
7681
While Firmus Energy has no current plans to extend its gas network to Portrush, with sufficient gas loads, and subject to the necessary approval being granted by the Utility Regulator, the company advises that it may be able to extend its gas network to Portrush in future. However, it is not possible at present to estimate when this might happen.