Phoenix Energy is marking 30 years since it first brought gas to Northern Ireland, highlighting sustained investment that has expanded energy options for households and businesses and created lasting regional value.

Since laying its first mains and connecting its first customer in 1996, the company has built a gas network of more than 4,000km across Greater Belfast, Larne and East Down. Today, around 266,500 homes and businesses are connected, with natural gas available to over 375,000 properties.

The expansion has also underpinned a strong local supply chain. More than 2,500 people are employed across the wider gas sector, including independent installers, retailers, training centres and trade merchants. Phoenix employs 181 people locally, with generations of colleagues helping to build, operate and grow the network over the past three decades.

Looking ahead, Phoenix is supporting the development of renewable gas—such as biomethane—and assessing how its existing infrastructure can continue to serve customers as Northern Ireland transitions to a lower‑carbon energy system. Kailash Chada, Group Chief Executive Officer at Phoenix, said: "Thirty years is a significant milestone for Phoenix and an opportunity to reflect with real pride on what has been achieved, not simply as a business, but together with the people and communities we have worked alongside.

"From the homes and businesses that have gained access to gas, to our colleagues and the thousands of people working across the wider industry, Phoenix's story has always been about much more than the network itself. It is a story of local people, businesses and communities, and of the relationships that have grown with us over the last 30 years.

"As we look to the next chapter, we want the network we have built to continue delivering value for Northern Ireland. Renewable gas, like biomethane, presents an exciting opportunity to build on the infrastructure already in place and support a more sustainable energy future, while continuing to provide the safe and reliable service our customers depend on."

The anniversary has been marked over the month with a commemorative video shared across Phoenix's customer channels, and a celebration at Finnebrogue Woods bringing colleagues together to recognise the contributions of employees past and present.

Ahead of the event, Kailash Chada encouraged colleagues to reflect on "the transformational role the local gas network has played over the last 30 years and the exciting journey the organisation has now embarked upon to deliver sustainable, secure and affordable energy solutions to future generations".