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Newsletter Issue 7 - November 2019
Celebrating the arrival of natural gas Welcome to issue 7 of the SGN Natural Gas Newsletter. The development of our natural gas network is now at an advanced stage. A number of key industrial customers have made the switch to natural gas and these will be closely followed by connections in the domestic market.
Helping to light up Strabane’s Diwali Festival SGN Natural Gas is supporting a multi-cultural community festival which is staged annually in Strabane. We are supporting Strabane Ethnic Community Association (SECA) and its 14th annual Diwali Festival which takes place during October and November 2019.
SGN Natural Gas and our project partner Mutual Energy will be hosting a launch event in the near future to officially announce the arrival of natural gas in all eight key towns. We are looking forward to this collaborative, showcase event which will mark the culmination of one of the most significant infrastructure projects in the western area of Northern Ireland for a generation.
Diwali is a traditional five-day festival of lights which originated in India and is held across the world by millions of people each autumn. It celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Darren Young, Head of Business Development with SGN Natural Gas, said it was delighted to provide some assistance for SECA and the Diwali event which has grown in popularity over the years, attracting participants from a wide catchment area.
It will also be an opportunity to thank all our stakeholders, whose positive engagement and support has been integral to the successful delivery of this major energy investment project. This project spans three local council areas – Derry City and Strabane District Council; Mid-Ulster District Council; and Fermanagh & Omagh District Council.
He said: “The Diwali Festival in Strabane is a hugely popular community event which promotes inclusion and diversity. We congratulate SECA on the positive work the Association are doing in the North West to embrace many different cultures and celebrate their cultural traditions with the wider local community.”
Thousands of homes and businesses will have access to natural gas which provides an affordable, cleaner and more convenient form of energy. It is our goal to decrease fuel poverty in our network area while enabling consumers to reduce their carbon footprint by converting from oil or solid fuel to natural gas. By enabling businesses to drive efficiency savings, we can potentially help them to be more competitive in local and global markets. We are delighted that a number of key manufacturing companies in the network area have already converted their production lines to natural gas. Our natural gas connection roadshow is now underway at venues throughout the network area. This will enable residents in all eight towns to engage directly with our team to receive information about the benefits and the incentives available, to convert their homes to natural gas.
Kamini Rao, SECA Co-ordinator, thanked SGN Natural Gas for its valuable support for both the Association and the Diwali Festival which includes school workshops culminating in a vibrant celebration of ethnic music, dance, fashion and food in St. Patrick’s Hall. A Diwali showcase featuring local schools took place on 25 October, followed by the big finale event on 2 November.
It is an exciting new era for consumers in the west and for everyone involved in bringing this energy investment project to fruition.
Samantha Trimble, Domestic Sales Representative, SGN Natural Gas and Kamini Rao, (SECA), discussing the Diwali Festival.
Danny O’Malley Director, SGN Natural Gas
Samantha Trimble, Domestic Sales Representative, SGN Natural Gas and Kamini Rao, Strabane Ethnic Community Association (SECA), with some of the children taking part in their events.
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 7
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 7
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Omagh Business Award winners congratulated at gala event Congratulations to all the winners in the Omagh Business Awards 2019 and, particularly the Village Inn, winners of the Excellence in the Hospitality Sector award sponsored by SGN Natural Gas. The awards, organised by the Ulster Herald and Omagh Chamber of Commerce, were presented at a gala ceremony held in the Silverbirch Hotel, Omagh. Darren Young, Head of Business Development with SGN Natural Gas said: “Congratulations to all the local businesses who were nominated in the various categories for this year’s Omagh Business Awards. Local businesses are the lifeblood of the economy, they do a fantastic job serving their own communities and attracting new visitors, whilst also creating much-needed employment.”
Pictured at Linergy are from left, Tanya Hedley, Director of Networks at the Utility Regulator; Sean McShane, Managing Director, Linergy; Danny O’Malley, Director, SGN Natural Gas; and Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive, Mutual Energy.
Darren added: “The Village Inn is a landmark pub that has been at the heart of the community in Omagh for decades. We wish our category winner and all the other local businesses continued success in the future.”
Renewable energy company converts to natural gas in Dungannon Innovative renewable energy company Linergy has announced that its organic waste processing plant in Co. Tyrone is now powered by natural gas. The company says that the switch to natural gas will help ensure it is a more sustainable business for the future. Established in 2005, Linergy is based at the Granville Industrial Estate in Dungannon. In partnership with three major agri-businesses, the company aims to meet the challenge of dealing with organic waste in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Linergy and its food processing partners Linden Foods, Dunbia and Fane Valley, employ almost 3,000 staff locally, serving most of the main UK retail multiples and several blue chip European customers. Sean McShane, Managing Director, Linergy, said: “We supply renewable feedstocks and it made sense for us to access natural gas when it became available in Dungannon because it is the cleanest fuel available to us. Using natural gas to operate our facility will enable us to become more energy efficient, significantly reduce our carbon footprint and become more competitive and sustainable as a business.” Danny O’Malley, Director of SGN Natural Gas, said: “Linergy offer an excellent service in the field of renewable energy. The fact that such an innovative company have converted their energy supply, clearly illustrates that natural gas is the best option available for business sustainability. By enabling businesses to drive efficiency savings, we can potentially help them to be more competitive in local and global markets.” In January 2013 the Northern Ireland Executive agreed to provide grant funding of up to £32.5 million to assist extension of the Northern Ireland natural gas network in the west. This is being administered by the Department for the Economy.
Claire McNabb and Michael Carr, Village Inn, accepting the Excellence in the Hospitality Sector award sponsored by SGN Natural Gas from Caroline O’Hagan and Ivan Gilmore, Omagh Chamber of Commerce. Included are Clodagh Harney, Ulster Herald; Bronagh Gormley, Omagh Chamber of Commerce; and Donal Gormley, SSE.
Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive of Mutual Energy which will operate the new high-pressure pipeline into the west said: “This ongoing major energy infrastructure project representing an investment of more than £250 million is already making a real difference to the local economy. The expansion of the natural gas network is great news for consumers in the western region who will benefit from an alternative energy choice for their homes and businesses.” Welcoming the announcement by Linergy, Mr. Larkin added: “Achieving efficiencies is critical in any business to help maintain a competitive edge, and switching to natural gas can help achieve this whilst also minimising any environmental impact.” Tanya Hedley, Director of Networks at the Utility Regulator said: “Our focus is to promote the development of the natural gas industry while protecting the interests of consumers. Over the past 10 years, we have approved three-quarters of a billion pounds of investment in Northern Ireland’s gas industry. The Utility Regulator welcomes the significant progress achieved in extending the gas network to the west. This latest connection by Linergy is a further vote of confidence in the natural 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 7
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SGN Natural Gas supports Gas Safety Week to keep everyone safe SGN Natural Gas supported Gas Safety Week (16th-22nd September 2019) as part of our ongoing commitment to raise awareness about the importance of gas safety. The ninth annual Gas Safety Week saw organisations from across the UK working together to raise awareness of the dangers of poorly maintained gas appliances, which can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. This year Gas Safety Week addressed a range of gas safety matters with a focus on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable. Advice included how to keep vulnerable loved ones safe by raising awareness of the importance of using a Gas Safe registered engineer. Dominic Scullion, Safety, Health and Environment Manager with SGN Natural Gas, said: “Gas Safety Week is a key public awareness campaign we wholeheartedly support as safety is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to protecting the safety of the public and of those who work for us and with us, and we do so by using the best technology available.” Jonathan Samuel, Chief Executive for Gas Safe Register, said: “It’s great to see so many people supporting Gas Safety Week this year to help spread important and, in some cases, lifesaving advice about gas safety. It’s vital that we help people to know not to cut corners with gas and always ask a suitably qualified Gas Safe registered engineer to work on gas appliances at their home to stay gas safe.”
Derrylin residents enjoying the Aughakillymaude Community Festival.
Sun shines on community festival in Derrylin SGN Natural Gas helped provide some summer fun at Aughakillymaude Community Festival in Derrylin. Aughakillymaude Community Association hosted its annual festival on the shores of Lough Erne and it is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque settings in Co. Fermanagh. Darren Young, Head of Business Development with SGN Natural Gas, welcomed the opportunity to support the popular two-day event which attracted large numbers of locals and visitors to the area for a feast of familyfriendly activities. The festival attractions included a vintage vehicle display, live music, face painting, bouncy castle, ice cream and BBQ, as well as sailings on the nearby Inishcruiser. Brian McManus, Chairperson of Aughakillymaude Community Association, thanked SGN Natural Gas for its positive community engagement in Derrylin. He said: “This is always a great summer festival at the community centre. We wish to express our sincere gratitude to SGN Natural Gas for supporting community festivals and events which everyone can enjoy.”
An engineer showing their Gas Safe ID card.
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SGN Natural Gas Newsletter - Issue 7
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The bouncy castle was popular with the kids.
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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