Two firms, Mutual Energy and SGN, have scooped conveyance licences to extend the natural gas network in the west of Northern Ireland.

Jenny Pyper, Chief Executive of the Utility Regulator, which ran the competition to award the licenses, said: "We are delighted to have reached this stage and I congratulate Mutual Energy and SGN on being awarded the licenses to bring gas to the west of Northern Ireland.

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"Natural gas provides an affordable, cleaner and convenient form of energy and this is a further vote of confidence in the natural gas industry. It is also a welcome new investment in our energy infrastructure. We look forward to work commencing as soon as possible so that natural gas can start flowing to customers."

Paddy Larkin, Chief Executive, Mutual Energy, said: "Together with SGN we'd like to thank the Minister, her department and the Utility Regulator for their commitment and hard work in bringing us to this important milestone in the Gas to the West project. We look forward to continuing to work with them, and all the other key stakeholders involved in the project to make Gas to the West a reality."

(CD/JP)