Established in 2005, firmus energy owns and operates a fast growing, modern, regulated natural gas distribution network in the major towns and cities outside of Greater Belfast in Northern Ireland. The network is a natural monopoly and operates under an exclusive perpetual licence subject to supervision and regulation by the Utility Regulator. As at December 2018, the network served approximately 43,000 domestic, industrial and commercial end customers through a network of 1,350km largely polyethylene pipelines. The network covers an area of 200 square kilometres extending across Northern Ireland. firmus energy also owns the largest gas supply business in the network licence area and the second largest gas supply business in Greater Belfast.