Phoenix Energy is celebrating 30 years since it first introduced gas to Northern Ireland, marking three decades of investment that has transformed energy choice for homes and businesses and delivered lasting economic, social and environmental value for the region.
Since laying its first mains and connecting its first customer in 1996, Phoenix has developed a gas network spanning more than 4,000km across Greater Belfast, Larne and East Down. Today, around 266,500 homes and businesses are connected to its network, with natural gas available to more than 375,000 properties.
That growth has also supported a significant local industry and supply chain. More than 2,500 people are employed across the wider gas industry, including independent installers, retailers, training centres and trade merchants. Phoenix itself employs 181 people locally, with generations of colleagues having played their part in building, maintaining and developing the network over the past three decades.
As Phoenix marks this milestone, attention is also firmly focused on what comes next. The company is supporting the development of renewable gas, including biomethane, and exploring how its existing infrastructure can continue to serve homes and businesses as Northern Ireland moves towards 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 occasion has been marked throughout the month, with an anniversary video released across Phoenix’s customer-facing channels, and a celebration which brought Phoenix colleagues together at Finnebrogue Woods to recognise the contribution 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”.
