259994 Phoenix Energy Responsible Business Report 2025.pdf

Our Pathway to Net-Zero In 2022, the five NI Gas Network Operators (NI GNOs) – Phoenix, firmus energy networks, Evolve, Mutual Energy and GNI(UK) - launched a joint plan to fully decarbonise the region’s gas network by 2050. This Pathway to Net Zero sets out how the gas network will transition away from natural gas to renewable alternatives such as biomethane and hydrogen to support NI’s emission targets. There is now established energy industry recognition that renewable gas solutions will be a key pillar of an affordable, resilient, future energy system due to gas networks’ ability to effectively and efficiently meet peak winter heat demands. The NI Gas Network’s pathway therefore seeks to utilise our finite future supply of renewable gases in the most optimal manner. Supporting a net-zero NI economy by decarbonising those homes, businesses and industrial processes that aren’t economically viable for electrification. Combining renewable gases with consumer demand side solutions offers several energy system and consumer advantages. For example, a hybrid heating system combines the efficiency of an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) with the reliability and peak heating demand capabilities of a gas boiler at points when the ASHP is not able to operate efficiently and/or cost effectively. This approach makes it significantly easier for homes and businesses to decarbonise without facing prohibitive upfront costs. An affordable transition to a net-zero energy system will require the utilisation of all infrastructure assets and all potential available sources of renewable energy. Phoenix stands ready to play our part.

Overview of Renewable Gases

Biomethane Derived from biogas produced by anaerobic digestion which has been upgraded to a quality similar to natural gas. It is a like-for-like replacement

Raw Materials

Anaerobic Digestor

Clean-up Plant

Gas Network

THE GAS NETWORK

Green Hydrogen Produced via the electrolysis of water utilising renewable electricity. Potential opportunity to take advantage of NI’s high levels of renewable electricity curtailment

Homes & Buildings

Industry

Power stations

Transport

Pillars of our Pathway to Net-Zero

1. Maximising available biomethane • Like-for-like replacement which is ready now • Supports agricultural emissions reduction and better nutrient management to support cleaner waterways 3. Promote Energy Efficiency • Supporting the installation of insulation measures and Hybrid Heating Systems • Reduces energy use and peak electrical demand on energy system

2. Enabling the role of hydrogen Ȩ ([SORLWLQJ 1,ɖV QDWXUDO DGYDQWDJHV LQ +ȇ

production, transport and storage infrastructure • Supporting e-fuel production with biogenic carbon from AD plants

4. Energy system integration • Leverage benefits of renewable gas to provide system security • Utilise smart systems to reduce infrastructure investment

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