Kier has been reappointed by firmus energy to provide natural gas distribution infrastructure services in a £100m energy contract
firmus energy and Kier have worked together since 2005, bringing natural gas to over 30 towns and cities in Northern Ireland as part of firmus’ natural gas distribution licence, including Londonderry, Limavady, Ballymena, Ballymoney, Coleraine, Newry, Craigavon, Antrim, Banbridge and Armagh. Over this time, Kier has laid over 1,600km of the pipeline.
The energy contract, in Northern Ireland, is the fourth iteration for Kier delivering firmus energy’s construction and maintenance works and services, which includes main and service laying, meter installs and 24/7 call-out service for emergency response activities.
Training and employment
Kier and firmus energy are committed to providing local training and employment opportunities and the reappointment will support graduates, apprentices and also the long-term unemployed who are looking to start a career within the built environment.
Kier will continue to engage with the local communities in which firmus energy distributes natural gas.
Leaving a positive footprint
Barry McNicholas, group managing director at Kier Utilities & Rail, said: “We are thrilled to have been reappointed by firmus energy and continue our successful partnership of delivering natural gas to towns and cities across Northern Ireland.
“We will continue to support firmus energy’s ambitious plans with our sector knowledge and specialist skills as well as fostering strong community relations as we look to leave a positive footprint in areas in which we work.”
Eric Cosgrove, director of engineering at firmus energy, added: “We are very pleased to renew our working partnership with Kier Group. Their extensive experience in the industry has helped enable us to deliver natural gas to thousands of homes and businesses across our Ten Towns network.
“Together with Kier, we successfully delivered the £3m River Foyle Crossing which was the largest project of its kind to be undertaken on the island of Ireland.
“Since we first started working with Kier, they have installed over 1,600km of pipeline and helped to make gas available to over 150,000 homes and businesses. We look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”
