View source for Ervia

{{Short description|Former Irish utility company}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Ervia
| logo = Ervia logo.svg
| type = [[Statutory corporation]]
| foundation = {{Start date and age|1976}} in [[Cork (city)|Cork]], Ireland<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0030/index.html |title=Gas Act 1976 |publisher=Irishstatutebook.ie |date=19 July 1976 |accessdate=31 July 2014 |archive-date=24 October 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091024123138/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1976/en/act/pub/0030/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
| dissolved = {{end date|2024|06|1|df=yes}}
| successor = [[Gas Networks Ireland]]
| location = Cork, Ireland
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list| Cathal Marley ([[Chief Executive Officer|Group CEO]]) | Tony Keohane ([[Chairman]])<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.ervia.ie/who-we-are/organisational-structure/ | website = Ervia | title = Organisational Structure | accessdate = 25 October 2018 | archive-date = 26 October 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20181026025106/http://www.ervia.ie/who-we-are/organisational-structure/ | url-status = live }}</ref> }}
| num_employees = 1,300 (2015) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ervia.ie/who-we-are |title=ERVIA EXPLAINED |website=Ervia |accessdate=11 September 2015 |archive-date=21 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621011846/http://www.ervia.ie/who-we-are |url-status=live }}</ref>
| products = {{Unbulleted list| [[Natural gas]] and [[renewable natural gas]] distribution | [[Dark fibre]] }}
| revenue = €506m (2014) <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ervia.ie/media/annual_report_final.pdf |title=ervia - Annual Report and Financial Statements 2014 |publisher=ervia.ie |date= |accessdate=11 September 2015 }}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
| industry = [[Public utility|Public Utility]]
| subsid = {{Unbulleted list | [[Gas Networks Ireland]] | [[Aurora Telecom]]}}
| homepage = [http://www.ervia.ie/ www.ervia.ie]
}}
'''Ervia''', previously known as '''Bord Gáis'''<ref name=times2014-07-29>{{Cite news 
  | title = ESB joins Bord Gáis in deciding it is better to borrow from Peter to pay Paul 
  | publisher = [[The Irish Times]] 
  | url = http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/energy-and-resources/esb-joins-bord-g%C3%A1is-in-deciding-it-is-better-to-borrow-from-peter-to-pay-paul-1.1881014 
  | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20140802022039/http://www.irishtimes.com/business/sectors/energy-and-resources/esb-joins-bord-g%C3%A1is-in-deciding-it-is-better-to-borrow-from-peter-to-pay-paul-1.1881014
  | archivedate = 2 August 2014 
  | date = 29 July 2014}}</ref> or '''Bord Gáis Éireann''' ({{IPA|ga|ˈbˠoːɾˠd̪ˠ ˌɡaːʃ ˈeːɾʲən̪ˠ}}; meaning "Gas Board of Ireland"), is a multi-utility company distributing [[Pipeline transport|pipeline]] [[natural gas]] and [[Dark Fibre|dark fibre]] services in [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. The state-owned company has built an extensive network across Ireland.<ref>{{cite web
 |title=View the Network 
 |url=http://www.bordgais.ie/networks/index.jsp?p=104&n=141 
 |work=Pipeline Maps 
 |publisher=Bord Gáis 
 |accessdate=26 July 2010 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711113315/http://www.bordgais.ie/networks/index.jsp?p=104&n=141 
 |archivedate=11 July 2010 
}}</ref>

In 2014 the [[Bord Gáis Energy]] division was sold to a consortium led by [[Centrica]],<ref name=rte2013-12-13>{{Cite news 
  | title = Bord Gáis Energy to be sold to consortium led by Centrica for €1.12 billion 
  | publisher = [[RTÉ News]] 
  | url = http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/1212/492512-bord-gais-energy/ 
  | accessdate = 2013-12-15 
  | date = 13 December 2013 
  | archive-date = 29 October 2014 
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141029152806/http://www.rte.ie/news/business/2013/1212/492512-bord-gais-energy/ 
  | url-status = live 
  }}</ref> and the Bord Gáis name was transferred as part of the sale. Bord Gáis Éireann was therefore renamed Ervia in June 2014 and as a result no longer sold gas directly to customers. Ervia was the ultimate parent company of dark fibre operator [[Aurora Telecom]]. In June 2024, all functions, assets and liabilities of Ervia were transferred to Gas Networks Ireland and Ervia was dissolved.

==History==
Bord Gáis Éireann was established as a [[State-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland|semi-state company]] by the Irish government in 1975 to replace a series of private-sector small city-based gas companies, some of whom had got into financial trouble. The company was originally established as a [[private limited company by shares]], Bord Gáis Éireann Teoranta, before being converted to a statutory corporation under the Gas Act 1976, the primary legislation under which BGE operates.

The oldest of the small private companies was the [[Dublin Gas|Alliance and Dublin Consumers' Gas Company]], which had been founded in the early nineteenth century by [[Daniel O'Connell]], a prominent Irish politician and [[Lord Mayor of Dublin]]. After initially supplying the company (known simply as Dublin Gas by the 1980s) with wholesale natural gas, Bord Gáis acquired the assets of the company when it went into receivership in 1987, including its head office in D'Olier Street, Dublin. Other town gas companies were acquired by Bord Gáis in Cork, [[Limerick]], [[Clonmel]], and [[Kilkenny]].

In 2002, Bord Gáis Éireann sold the landmark [[art deco]] Dublin Gas head office building in [[D'Olier Street]], Dublin to [[Trinity College Dublin]]. This building was designed by Robinson and Keefe Architects in about 1928. The exterior is clad in grey and black stone. The interior which was originally lit by Gasoliers still remains as a protected structure.  Bord Gáis moved to purpose built premises in Foley Street, Dublin, which is now the main offices of Bord Gáis Energy. Bord Gáis now have offices at Lower Mount Street, Dublin.{{citation needed|date=December 2014}}

For nearly two decades the main supply of gas available for Bord Gáis came from a [[Marathon Oil|Marathon Petroleum]] owned gasfield near [[Kinsale]], off the [[County Cork]] coast. This gas field had been found in 1971, the same year as the foundation of the [[Nuclear Energy Board]]. This gas field comes ashore at Inch, County Cork.

===Deregulation of the Irish gas market===
Beginning in the early 2000s Ireland's state owned public utilities underwent major reform thanks to the adoption by EU members of the [[Third Energy Package|European Union's Third Energy Package]]. This required [[Vertical integration|vertically integrated]] utilities such as Bord Gáis Éireann to legally demarcate and split into two roles: the Transmission System Operator (TSO) and the Distribution System Operator (DSO) although a combined DSO/TSO was permissible as long as the two were ring-fenced from one another <ref>{{cite EU directive
  | serial      = 2009/72/EC
  | year        = 2009
  | date        = 13 July 2009
  | description = concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity and repealing Directive 2003/54/EC
  | eurlextag   = 32009L0072
}}</ref><ref>{{cite EU directive
  | serial      = 2009/73/EC
  | year        = 2009
  | date        = 13 July 2009
  | description = concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas and repealing Directive 2003/55/EC
  | eurlextag   = 32009L0073
}}</ref>  This resulted in two new "arms length" entities being created inside the Bord Gáis group; Bord Gáis Networks and Bord Gáis Energy Supply. A similar situation took place with the [[Electricity Supply Board]] with it being split into two main units, legally distinct and separate; [[ESB Networks]] and ESB Customer Supply, now called [[Electric Ireland]], although both being owned by the ESB Group.

On 18 February 2009 Bord Gáis Energy Supply rebranded as [[Bord Gáis Energy]] and competed in a new, fully deregulated gas market, legally separate and distinct from the rest of Bord Gáis Éireann. As part of the overall opening up of the energy market in Ireland as a whole Bord Gáis Energy entered the deregulated [[electricity market]] offering dual fuel bundles to consumers. Other companies including [[Airtricity]] and [[Electric Ireland]] also began competing with Bord Gáis Energy in the gas sector, with Bord Gáis Networks being impartial towards all companies who wished to utilise the gas network. It was expected BGE would be no different than any other gas provider.

===Sale of Bord Gáis Energy===
A condition of the EU/IMF [[Economic Adjustment Programme for Ireland|bailout programme for Ireland]] required the Irish government to sell off some state owned assets to help pay down loans and reduce Ireland's debt burden. In February 2012 the Irish government announced it would sell Bord Gáis Energy as required under the bailout terms.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = €3bn sale to include parts of ESB, Bord Gáis
  | publisher = RTÉ
  | url = http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0222/313725-state_assets/
  | date = 23 February 2012
  | accessdate = 11 September 2015
  | archive-date = 27 July 2024
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240727060320/https://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0222/313725-state_assets/
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref>

In March 2014 Bord Gáis Éireann confirmed it would sell its customer supply arm Bord Gáis Energy to a consortium made up of [[Centrica]], [[Brookfield Renewable|Brookfield Renewable Energy]] and [[iCON Infrastructure]] to the value of €1.1 billion.<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Bord Gáis Energy set to be sold for €1.12bn
  | publisher = Irish Times
  | url = http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/bord-g%C3%A1is-energy-set-to-be-sold-for-1-12bn-1.1625990
  | date = 13 December 2013
  | accessdate = 11 September 2015
  | archive-date = 4 March 2016
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093351/http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/bord-g%C3%A1is-energy-set-to-be-sold-for-1-12bn-1.1625990
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> The sale involved the splitting of the group's retail unit among the three buyers. The main retail division would be bought by Centrica, while its wind assets under SWS would be acquired by Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners and iCON infrastructure acquiring Northern Ireland based [[Firmus Energy]]. As part of the deal the Bord Gáis name would go to Centrica requiring the rump entity to be renamed.

In June 2014 Bord Gáis Éireann was renamed Ervia<ref>{{cite web
  | title = Ever heard of Ervia? That's what Bord Gáis Eireann is now called
  | publisher = The Journal
  | url = http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/ervia-name-change-bord-gais-eireann-1529304-Jun2014/
  | date = 2014-06-20
  | accessdate = 11 September 2015
  | archive-date = 4 March 2016
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304083939/http://businessetc.thejournal.ie/ervia-name-change-bord-gais-eireann-1529304-Jun2014/
  | url-status = live
  }}</ref> becoming a [[holding company]] of three distinct but complementary utility firms: [[Gas Networks Ireland]] (formerly Bord Gáis Networks), [[Irish Water]] and [[Aurora Telecom]].

===Dissolution===
In October 2020, the [[government of Ireland]] decided that Ervia would be dissolved and its functions integrated into Gas Networks Ireland.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Minister O'Brien welcomes the commencement of Water Services Act and introduction of Uisce Éireann |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/9c2be-minister-obrien-welcomes-the-commencement-of-water-services-act-and-introduction-of-uisce-eireann/ |location=Dublin |publisher=Government of Ireland, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |agency= |date=20 December 2022 |access-date=30 May 2024 |archive-date=8 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231108184339/https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/9c2be-minister-obrien-welcomes-the-commencement-of-water-services-act-and-introduction-of-uisce-eireann/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, an [[Law of the Republic of Ireland#Statute law|act of the Oireachtas]], provided for the dissolution of Ervia.<ref>{{cite Irish legislation |year=2024 |date=1 May 2024 |type=act |num=11 |title=Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 |section=6 |stitle=Transfer day |quote=On and from the transfer day Ervia (in this Act referred to as the “dissolved body”) shall stand dissolved.}}</ref> This took effect on 1 June 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Corporate governance |url=https://www.gasnetworks.ie/corporate/company/corporate-governance/ |website=Gas Networks Ireland}}</ref><ref>{{cite Irish legislation |year=2024 |date=13 May 2024 |type=si |num=219 |title=Gas (Amendment) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 (Transfer Day) Order 2024|signedby=[[Eamon Ryan]], [[Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment|Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications]]}}</ref> This left Gas Networks Ireland as a standalone entity owned by the State.

==Subsidiaries==

===Gas Networks Ireland===
[[File:Gas Networks Ireland logo.svg|right|Bord Gáis Networks Logo]]

Gas Networks Ireland ({{langx|ga|Líonraí Gáis Éireann<ref>{{cite web |title=Téarma.ie |url=https://www.tearma.ie/q/Gas%20Networks%20Ireland/ |website=téarma.ie |access-date=30 August 2022 |archive-date=27 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240727060319/https://www.tearma.ie/q/Gas%20Networks%20Ireland/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}}) owns, and is responsible for the operation, maintenance and development of Ireland's natural gas transmission and distribution networks, consisting of over 14,600&nbsp;km of pipeline.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gasnetworks.ie/corporate/company/our-network/|title=Our network|website=Gas Networks Ireland|access-date=4 November 2023|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104123700/https://www.gasnetworks.ie/corporate/company/our-network/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/f1ecf1-gas/|title=Policy Information: Gas|publisher=Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications|website=Government of Ireland|date=12 June 2020|access-date=4 November 2023|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104132119/https://www.gov.ie/en/policy-information/f1ecf1-gas/|url-status=live}}</ref> The network provides gas to customers in all major Irish cities, along with several towns across the country. Numerous suppliers provide gas services to customers and businesses via this network of pipelines.

Two [[United Kingdom–Ireland natural gas interconnectors|interconnectors]] link the pipeline network to Scotland (with a spur from one of the interconnectors linking to the [[Isle of Man]] supplying the [[Manx Utilities Authority]]).

Most of its modern gas supply is imported, though a new gas field known as the [[Corrib gas project|Corrib field]] off the [[County Mayo]] coast came on stream in 2015.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kent|first=Sarah|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/irelands-corrib-field-now-producing-natural-gas-1451505570|title=Ireland's Corrib Field Now Producing Natural Gas|work=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|url-access=subscription|date=30 December 2015|access-date=4 November 2023|archive-date=4 November 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104123659/https://www.wsj.com/articles/irelands-corrib-field-now-producing-natural-gas-1451505570|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Ervia only purchases a small amount of the offtake; the majority is traded on the Intercontinental Exchange.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

===Aurora Telecom===
Aurora Telecom specialises in providing [[Dark Fibre|dark fibre]] services to the private sector. Due to being a subsidiary company of Gas Networks Ireland,<ref name="auroraabout">{{Cite web |url=https://www.auroratelecom.ie/about-us/about-aurora-telecom/ |title=About Aurora Telecom |website=auroratelecom.ie |access-date=29 May 2024 |archive-date=29 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529145614/https://www.auroratelecom.ie/about-us/about-aurora-telecom/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Aurora Telecom is able to utilise the former's extensive gas pipeline network to lay fibre optic lines,<ref name="auroraabout"/> principally in Dublin, though with an owned and operated network now stretching from the capital to Cork, Limerick and [[Galway]] via several towns including [[Athlone]], [[Mullingar]] and [[Ennis]].

==Former operations==

===Bord Gáis Energy===
{{Main|Bord Gáis Energy}}

Bord Gáis Energy was previously the retail (industrial, commercial and residential) division of Bord Gáis Éireann. In February 2012 the Irish government announced its intention to sell Bord Gáis Energy as part of the reforms required following the [[2008–13 Irish banking crisis|banking crisis bailout]] and finalised the deal in June 2014. Today Bord Gáis Energy is a completely independent entity from Ervia.

===Bord Gáis retail network===
Bord Gáis Éireann maintained twelve stores (branded '''Energy Supply Stores''') around the country, however they are run on a franchise basis and not by Bord Gáis itself. In 2002 Bord Gáis Natural Gas Showroom in D'Olier Street, operated by the company itself, was closed, in 2006 its Cork company-owned showroom was also closed.

===Irish Water===
{{Main|Irish Water}}
The Water Services Act 2013 created Irish Water as a subsidiary of Bord Gáis Éireann,<ref>{{cite web 
  | url=https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/6/enacted/en/print#part1 
  | title=Water Services Act 2013 
  | publisher=Irish Statute Book 
  | date=20 March 2013 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=1 October 2015 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001085732/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/6/enacted/en/print#part1 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web
  | url=http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Irish+Water+to+be+Bord+Gais+Eireann+subsidiary/id/19410615-5218-4f8d-83f9-7f5c05091907
  | title=Irish Water to be Bord Gais Eireann subsidiary
  | publisher=Sunday Business Post
  | date=17 April 2012
  | accessdate=11 September 2015
  | archive-date=23 September 2016
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923101056/http://www.businesspost.ie/#!story/Home/News/Irish+Water+to+be+Bord+Gais+Eireann+subsidiary/id/19410615-5218-4f8d-83f9-7f5c05091907
  | url-status=live
  }}</ref> to provide "''safe, clean and affordable water and waste water services''" to water users in Ireland.<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.bordgais.ie/corporate/aboutus 
 |title=About Bord Gáis
 |publisher=Bord Gáis 
 |date=1 January 2014 
 |accessdate=31 July 2014 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140722125533/http://www.bordgais.ie/corporate/aboutus 
 |archivedate=22 July 2014 
}}</ref> Public concerns on operational,<ref>{{cite web 
  | author=Alison Comyn 
  | url=http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/residents-rage-after-paths-are-ripped-up-30435457.html 
  | title=Residents' rage after paths are ripped up 
  | publisher=Irish Independent 
  | date=16 July 2014 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=21 October 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021011703/http://www.independent.ie/regionals/droghedaindependent/news/residents-rage-after-paths-are-ripped-up-30435457.html 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref> documentation,<ref>{{cite web 
  | last=Andrews 
  | first=Kernan 
  | url=http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/71153/healy-questions-irish-water-letter-demanding-bank-account-details 
  | title=Healy questions Irish Water letter demanding bank account details 
  | publisher=Advertiser.ie 
  | date=24 July 2014 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=4 August 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140804043158/http://www.advertiser.ie/galway/article/71153/healy-questions-irish-water-letter-demanding-bank-account-details 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web 
  | last=Pattison 
  | first=Brynmor 
  | url=http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-water-forms-require-householders-3853127 
  | title=Irish Water: Forms will require householders' PPS numbers and more 
  | publisher=Irish Mirror 
  | date=14 July 2014 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=17 July 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140717065546/http://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-water-forms-require-householders-3853127 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref> and financial<ref>{{cite web 
  | url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-water-spent-50m-despite-order-to-use-bord-gais-expertise-29910029.html 
  | title=Irish Water spent €50m despite order to use Bord Gais expertise 
  | publisher=Irish Independent 
  | date=13 January 2014 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=21 October 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021013422/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/irish-water-spent-50m-despite-order-to-use-bord-gais-expertise-29910029.html 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref> issues were highlighted throughout the initial months of the subsidiary's operations.<ref>{{cite web 
  | author=Paul Melia and Sarah Stack 
  | url=http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/no-one-wants-to-pay-the-fees-admits-irish-water-boss-30438310.html 
  | title=No one wants to pay the fees, admits Irish Water boss 
  | publisher=Irish Independent 
  | date=17 July 2014 
  | accessdate=31 July 2014 
  | archive-date=21 October 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021013428/http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/news/no-one-wants-to-pay-the-fees-admits-irish-water-boss-30438310.html 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref>

Irish Water is accountable to two regulatory bodies: the [[Commission for Regulation of Utilities]] (CRU), the economic regulator for the water industry; and the [[Environmental Protection Agency (Ireland)|Environmental Protection Agency]] (EPA), the environmental regulator.<ref>{{cite web 
  | url=http://www.cer.ie/customer-care/water/customer-protection 
  | title=CER Role ("Working with the EPA") 
  | publisher=Commission for Energy Regulation 
  | accessdate=8 August 2014 
  | archive-date=9 August 2014 
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809095030/http://www.cer.ie/customer-care/water/customer-protection 
  | url-status=live 
  }}</ref>

On 31 December 2022, Irish Water was renamed Uisce Éireann. On 1 January 2023, Uisce Éireann was separated from Ervia and established as a standalone national water authority.<ref>{{cite press release |author=<!--Not stated--> |title=Minister O'Brien welcomes the commencement of Water Services Act and introduction of Uisce Éireann |url=https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/9c2be-minister-obrien-welcomes-the-commencement-of-water-services-act-and-introduction-of-uisce-eireann/ |location=Dublin |publisher=Government of Ireland, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage |date=20 December 2022 |access-date=4 November 2023 |archive-date=4 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231104123701/https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/9c2be-minister-obrien-welcomes-the-commencement-of-water-services-act-and-introduction-of-uisce-eireann/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===SWS===
In late 2009 Bord Gáis Éireann bought the wind energy company SWS.<ref>{{cite web
  | url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/bord-gais-buys-sws-for-500m-107154.html
  | title=Bord Gáis buys SWS for €500m
  | publisher=Irish Examiner
  | date=5 December 2009
  | accessdate=11 September 2015
  | archive-date=4 March 2016
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064058/http://www.irishexaminer.com/business/bord-gais-buys-sws-for-500m-107154.html
  | url-status=live
  }}</ref>

However, as part of the large scale EU/IMF mandated divestiture of many state assets mid 2014 the company was sold to Canadian energy firm Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners for US$680 million as part of the sale of Bord Gáis Energy to British energy giant Centrica.<ref>{{cite web
  | url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/brookfield-renewable-buys-ireland-wind-project-portfolio/article17662325/
  | title=Bord Gáis buys SWS for €500m
  | publisher=The Globe and Mail
  | date=25 March 2014
  | accessdate=11 September 2015
  | archive-date=4 March 2016
  | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304230234/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/energy-and-resources/brookfield-renewable-buys-ireland-wind-project-portfolio/article17662325/
  | url-status=live
  }}</ref>

===Firmus Energy===
{{main|Firmus Energy}}

Bord Gáis had a plan to develop the gas market in [[Northern Ireland]]. A pipeline from [[Carrickfergus]] to [[Derry]] was completed in October 2004 and now serves [[Coolkeeragh Power Station]]. A second pipeline, known as the south–north pipeline, was commissioned in October 2006. It runs from [[Gormanston, County Meath|Gormanston]] in the Republic of Ireland to join the Carrick/Derry pipeline near [[Antrim (town)|Antrim]] creating an all-Ireland network and providing [[Redundancy (engineering)|redundancy]] in case of problems with either Scotland - Northern Ireland pipeline or the Scotland - Ireland interconnectors.

The [[Utility Regulator for Northern Ireland]] awarded Bord Gáis a licence to supply homes and businesses in the towns and cities near the two pipelines - [[Antrim (town)|Antrim]], [[Armagh]], [[Ballymena]], [[Ballymoney]], [[Banbridge]], [[Craigavon, County Armagh|Craigavon]], [[Derry]], [[Limavady]] and [[Newry]] - where the local [[subsidiaries]] of BG used the trading name of ''Firmus Energy''. On 1 December 2005, Firmus launched their first supply in Northern Ireland, to the large [[Michelin]] [[tire|tyre]] factory in Ballymena.<ref>{{cite web
 |last         = Morton
 |first        = Robin
 |url          = http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/tyre-plant-first-in--switch-to-gas-13718805.html
 |title        = Tyre plant first in switch to gas
 |publisher    = BelfastTelegraph.co.uk
 |date         = 2 December 2005
 |accessdate   = 31 July 2014
 |archive-date = 14 October 2012
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20121014185033/http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/imported/tyre-plant-first-in--switch-to-gas-13718805.html
 |url-status   = live
}}</ref> On 25 April 2006 Firmus connected its first residential customers in Derry.

As part of the Irish government's disposal of state owned assets Firmus Energy was sold in March 2014 to iCON Infrastructure.

===Gaslink===
On 4 July 2008, an "arms-length" subsidiary of Bord Gáis, Gaslink was established to perform the role of transmission and distribution system operator. However, as part of cost-cutting measures on 1 August 2015 Gaslink was abolished and its responsibilities rolled back into Gas Networks Ireland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gasnetworks.ie/en-IE/Gas-Industry/System-Operator/Sub-Page-1/ |title=Publications |publisher=Gas Networks Ireland |accessdate=11 September 2015 |archive-date=20 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160320125858/http://www.gasnetworks.ie/en-IE/Gas-Industry/System-Operator/Sub-Page-1/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Main offices==
* Ervia HQ - Webworks, Eglinton Street, Cork {{coord |51.8972|-8.4644|type:landmark_region:IE}}
* Gas Networks Ireland - Gasworks Road, Cork {{coord |51.8950|-8.4606|type:landmark_region:IE}}
* Aurora Telecom - Donmoy House, St Margaret's Road, Finglas, Dublin 11 {{coord |53.4054|-6.3026|type:landmark_region:IE}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ervia.ie Ervia]
* [http://www.gasnetworks.ie Gas Networks Ireland]
* [http://www.auroratelecom.ie Aurora Telecom]

{{Electricity generation in Ireland}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ervia}}
[[Category:Natural gas companies of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:State-sponsored bodies of the Republic of Ireland]]
[[Category:Utilities of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Oil and gas companies of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment]]
[[Category:Government-owned energy companies]]