DAIRY co-operative LacPatrick Dairies has become the first company to receive energy from the new Gas to the West project being delivered by Electric Ireland in a contract worth £2.2 million a year.
The Monaghan-based dairy, which has bases in Enniskillen and Derry, will receive 90 million kilowatts of energy a year to power its site at Artigarvan – which includes a new €40 million (£33.9m) milk-drying facility.
Gabriel Darcy, chief executive of LacPatrick in Artigarvan, said: "We have invested over £30 million in the new dairy technology centre at Artigarvan and are delighted to appoint Electric Ireland as our gas supplier for the site.
"Their long history in Ireland, and the consequent experience in providing energy for industry, along with their flexible and innovative approach, made the journey easier for LacPatrick.
"Right from initial discussions, they have understood the requirements and complexities of this state-of-the-art site and have shared our goal to run a highly energy-efficient, innovative, production facility, supporting over 1,000 family farms with a supply base."
Clare McAllister, sales and marketing manager Electric Ireland, said customers were "at the heart" of Electric Ireland projects and natural gas remained a key focus for the company.
"We're delighted to be the first supplier of gas on the first phase of the Gas to the West project," she said.
"Natural gas is a key focus for Electric Ireland and this contract, the largest single-site contract on the island of Ireland, underpins our commitment to grow our market share in the Northern Ireland gas sector and become a leader in dual fuel supply."
The £250 million Gas to the West project will bring natural gas to most of the main towns in the region, allowing industrial and commercial and SME energy users – as well as households – to avail of natural gas for the first time.
The project will see up to 40,000 domestic and business customers connected to natural gas through a high pressure pipeline owned and operated by Mutual Energy, bringing natural gas to Coalisland, Cookstown, Derrylin, Dungannon, Enniskillen, Magherafelt, Omagh and Strabane.
