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Newsletter Issue 8 - April 2020
Staying safe and warm Welcome to issue 8 of the SGN Natural Gas Newsletter. I trust this finds you and your families safe and well. Just like businesses all over the world, in recent months we have had to prioritise our response to COVID-19 to further protect the safety of the public, each other and those who work with us. Our dedicated Pandemic Working Group was set up at the start of February to lead our response and we have extensive business continuity plans in place. We have provided a summary of these measures in this issue (see opposite) and you will find a full COVID-19 update on the Home page of our website, here. Since our last Newsletter, as key partners and stakeholders many of you will have attended our ‘Gas to the West’ launch event in Dungannon. This was a suitably proud occasion for everyone associated with the successful delivery of this hugely significant project that has now brought natural gas to the major towns in the western area of Northern Ireland. The special collaborative event which was held with our project partners Mutual Energy, signalled the completion of the main construction phase of the SGN Natural Gas network. We are delighted to have reached this major milestone for the project. It represents the main element of an ultimate investment of over £250m in new gas infrastructure that has been warmly welcomed by communities west of the River Bann. We are continuing to raise awareness of the benefits of natural gas as a fuel choice. Over 10,000 homes and businesses already have a new pathway to an affordable, gradually decarbonised future. We are also effectively addressing fuel poverty in the network area through NISEP funding to assist low-income households convert to natural gas central heating, insulation and energy efficiency measures. We expect demand for natural gas in the domestic market to grow as we enhance our presence in the main towns through further community engagement and, we are delighted to get such a positive response. Our initial launch campaign has included out-of-home and broadcast advertising, over 50 engagement sessions and we have garnered extensive media coverage. I’m delighted that SGN Natural Gas has been selected as finalists for ‘Engineering Project of the Year’ at the Network Awards 2020. We look forward to exciting new milestones as we connect many more homes and businesses to natural gas in the months and years ahead.
Danny O’Malley Director, SGN Natural Gas
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 8
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Our response to COVID-19 SGN Natural Gas is committed to protecting the safety of the public, and to safeguarding each other and those who work with us. This commitment will remain our number one priority in the weeks and months ahead as we all strive to combat the spread of COVID-19. Our dedicated Pandemic Working Group was set up at the start of February to lead our response to COVID-19 and we have extensive business continuity plans in place. We know that during the COVID-19 outbreak, our customers will rely on us more than ever to keep themselves and their families safe and warm. We are following all Government and NHS advice on precautionary measures to reduce the risk from COVID-19 for our colleagues and customers. Last month we completed any key pre-scheduled work. No further non-essential construction related works will be taking place until further notice. If you need us in an emergency, we are still here for you. We have the necessary arrangements in place to respond to a natural gas emergency. If you smell gas, please contact the 24hr NI Gas Emergency Service immediately on 0800 002 001. If we need to visit a customer’s home, we’ll ask the householder some extra questions to protect both them and our colleagues. We’re committed to keeping our key workers safe, as well as the families we visit, as we respond to gas emergencies. We will continue to follow all Government and public health advice on precautionary measures to reduce the risk for our people and our customers, including providing colleagues with guidance on social distancing as well as additional personal protective equipment. We have also split key business-critical teams across multiple locations to make sure we protect the essential service they provide. For more information to help homes and businesses please click here The COVID-19 page is constantly reviewed to reflect current developments, we would encourage you to visit this page regularly for any new updates. *Please note that all the photographs featured in this Newsletter were taken before social distancing came into effect.
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Finalists in Network Awards 2020 SGN Natural Gas has been announced as a finalist in the prestigious Network Awards 2020 which celebrate projects transforming the energy future across the UK. The SGN Natural Gas network was shortlisted in the ‘Engineering Project of the Year’ category. The awards are an opportunity for gas, power and heat networks to recognise and reward the people, teams, projects and innovations that have helped shape the industry. David Butler, Head of Engineering with SGN Natural Gas said: “The Network Awards showcase the good work taking place across the energy sector. We are delighted to have been shortlisted as finalists in the ‘Engineering Project of the Year’ category for delivering the SGN Natural Gas network.” The project broke new ground in terms of scale and complexity and required a diverse range of engineering techniques to connect urban areas in the west of Northern Ireland to the newly installed gas network. The Network Awards 2020 feature a range of categories open to network operators, the supply chain, contractors and local authorities who are involved in shaping the energy system. The judging is carried out by an independent panel of industry experts and the winners will be announced at a later date after the awards ceremony which was scheduled to take place in Birmingham, was postponed as a result of COVID-19.
Supporting Action Mental Health
Sara Bain, Lyndsey McClune and John Grant, representing SGN Natural Gas, presenting the cheque to Samantha Coleman, Action Mental Health’s Fundraising & Engagement Co-ordinator.
SGN Natural Gas presented a cheque for £500 to Action Mental Health to assist with its services in Northern Ireland. Samantha Coleman, Action Mental Health’s Fundraising & Engagement Co-ordinator, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this extremely generous donation from SGN Natural Gas. Action Mental Health provides a range of services for people of all ages across Northern Ireland; this includes delivery of mental health awareness and resilience building programmes in local schools as well as services for adults recovering from mental ill-health.” “As a local charity we rely heavily on the support of businesses like SGN Natural Gas to help provide these vital services and are very thankful for this kind donation, which will make such a difference.”
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 8
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‘Warm at Home’ scheme helping households Residents in the SGN Natural Gas network area are benefitting from our ‘Warm at Home’ scheme. Grant funding for the scheme comes from the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) to assist low-income households convert to natural gas central heating, insulation and energy efficiency measures, who otherwise could not afford to. Both owner-occupiers and private renting tenants who meet the necessary criteria for the ‘Warm at Home’ scheme can apply. The scheme has been extended to all eight towns in the SGN Natural Gas licensed network area which includes Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane. Darren Young, Head of Business Development with SGN Natural Gas, said: “The western area of Northern Ireland suffers from high levels of energy inefficiency. It is our goal to decrease fuel poverty in our network area whilst enabling consumers to reduce their carbon footprint by converting from oil and solid fuel to natural gas.”
Pictured from left to right are: Paulino Garcia, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland; Daniella Sloan, Domestic Sales Representative, SGN Natural Gas; and Darren Young, Head of Business Development, SGN Natural Gas, launching the SGN Natural Gas 2019/2020 Warm at Home schemes.
“There has been exceptional demand for natural gas in the network area to date. We encourage consumers to get in touch with us as soon as possible to establish if they are eligible for grant funding which is distributed on a first come, first served basis.”
Paulino Garcia, Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, said: “The Consumer Council welcomes NISEP funding which is invested into a range of energy efficiency projects to benefit consumers. We actively encourage local consumers to avail of the various energy efficiency grants and schemes available to help update their heating system and add other energy saving measures to their homes.” “Good insulation means lower energy bills and a more comfortable home. This is especially important for older people and people who are unwell.”
Connection roadshow success There was a significant increase in the number of residents who attended the SGN Natural Gas information roadshows. Weekly information sessions were held across the network area to engage directly with domestic consumers keen to have their homes connected to natural gas as soon as possible. The informal drop-in events took place in a wide range of local venues to provide first-hand information about natural gas availability in the key towns and connection incentives which are currently available. Members of the SGN Natural Gas team were in attendance to advise on any queries and, to assist with the connection process where applicable. The roadshow has been postponed until later in the year as part of the ongoing efforts across the world to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The SGN Natural Gas roadshow will return later in the year.
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Arrival of natural gas celebrated at launch event The completion of the main construction phase of the ‘Gas to the West’ pipeline was celebrated at a special event held in Dungannon on 16 January 2020 to thank the local community, business partners and stakeholders who have supported the successful delivery of the project. Representing an investment of over £250m, 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.
Guests watching a video of the ‘Gas to the West’ construction phase at the event in Dungannon Omniplex.
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. The recent delivery of the network to the gateways of all the target towns is a major milestone for what is widely regarded as one of the most significant energy infrastructure projects across the province in a generation. It is anticipated that when fully completed, almost 600kms of pipeline will be in the ground in the wider network area. Economy Minister Diane Dodds 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 and increasing the potential for businesses, the public sector and households to use a cleaner, more efficient fuel.” Trevor Lockhart, CBI NI Vice-Chair and Group Chief Executive at Fane Valley– which includes some of the key industrial connections to the network - was a guest speaker at the event. He said: “The benefits of this project for business competitiveness are sizeable in terms of driving energy efficiencies and reducing carbon emissions from where they once were. This type of infrastructure can also be used in the future for solutions which enable even greater emissions reductions, such as hydrogen.” “Many CBI members, including some of Northern Ireland’s major manufacturers located in the western area, are demonstrating their confidence in the new infrastructure by converting to natural gas. Realising these economic and environmental benefits will underpin the growth ambitions of these companies and contribute to the prosperity of these regions.” Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator, welcomed the ongoing roll-out of the SGN Natural Gas network in the western area. She said: “During the past decade, we have approved three-quarters of a billion pounds of investment in our gas industry. More consumers than ever can now choose natural gas which provides an affordable, cleaner and convenient form of energy.”
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Santa’s Little Helpers shine The SGN Natural Gas Christmas competition was a huge success with hundreds of local school children designing a natural gas-themed decoration for their school Christmas tree. SGN Natural Gas gifted a real Christmas tree to primary schools in every town in the network area and the seasonal competition attracted over 700 entries. Pupils became Santa’s Little Helpers, creating an array of natural gas-themed decorations and baubles to festoon the Christmas trees provided for their schools. Entries were uploaded to the SGN Natural Gas website where a special competition page was opened to enable voting to take place. The entries with the most votes in each town received 1st and 2nd prizes of a Samsung Galaxy Tablet and £50 Amazon voucher. Darren Young, Head of Business Development with SGN Natural Gas, said the competition had been a resounding success with a very high standard of entries from schools across the network area. He praised all the schools, parents and pupils for their enthusiasm and congratulated the winners for bringing added festive cheer with their impressive natural-gas themed designs.
Samantha Trimble, Domestic Sales Representative, SGN Natural Gas, pictured with some of the Christmas competition prizewinners.
Dearbhla Coary from St. John’s Kingsisland PS, Coalisland, receiving her prize.
Pupils from Kilronan School, Magherafelt, receive their prizes from Daniella Sloan, Domestic Sales Representative, SGN Natural Gas.
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Christ the King PS Omagh Year 3 pupil Darcie Wray, receives the prize for her winning creation from John Grant, Residential New Build Representative, SGN Natural Gas.
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Pictured on 11 October 2019 from left to right are: Darren Young, Head of Business Development, SGN Natural Gas; Jonathan McDowell, General Manager, Dale Farm Dunmanbridge; Paul Harland, Networks Manager, Utility Regulator; Gary McNeill, Group Projects Manager, Dale Farm,; and Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive, Mutual Energy.
Dale Farm connects to the network Dale Farm, the largest UK farmer-owned dairy cooperative, has announced that its cheese and powder processing facility in Cookstown is now powered by natural gas. A key industrial connection to the new SGN Natural Gas network in the western area, the Dunmanbridge plant manufactures 55,000 tons of cheese annually, supplying customers throughout the UK and Europe. The cooperative, which also operates a custom-built solar farm at Dunmanbridge, says strengthening sustainability is at the core of its production processes, and the switch from heavy duty oil to natural gas will help drive energy efficiencies and reduce its carbon footprint. Jonathan McDowell, General Manager, Dale Farm Dunmanbridge said: “Dale Farm is committed to leading the way in sustainability, with an environmental strategy that ensures we constantly assess our processes and facilities to identify how we can reduce our carbon footprint.” “Switching to natural gas from HFO has enabled us to lower our carbon emissions from combustion activity on site by 28% and improve our overall energy efficiency, building on environmental and efficiency gains we have already made since launching our solar farm nearby in 2018.” Danny O’Malley, Director of SGN Natural Gas, welcomed Dale Farm’s decision to switch to natural gas as a further vote of confidence in the new natural gas network in the west. He said: “Dale Farm is among a number of key industrial connections to natural gas in our network. SGN Natural Gas is committed to working closely with businesses and domestic consumers to meet the exceptional demand for natural gas in the western area.” Tanya Hedley, the Utility Regulator’s Director of Networks added: “The Utility Regulator welcomes the significant progress achieved in bringing natural gas to the west. Dale Farm is the latest business to connect to gas and shows the continuing confidence in Northern Ireland’s natural gas industry.” “Our role is to promote the development of Northern Ireland’s natural gas industry while protecting the interests of consumers, and over the past 10 years, we have approved three-quarters of a billion pounds of investment in our gas industry. More consumers than ever can now choose natural gas, which provides an affordable, cleaner and convenient form of energy.”
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 8
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Thank you for taking the time to get up to date with the SGN Natural Gas network project. If you would like to contact us about our project please don’t hesitate to get in touch Visit sgnnaturalgas.co.uk Phone: 0800 975 7774 Email: info@SGNNaturalGas.co.uk Facebook: @SGNnaturalgas