NATURAL gas distributor Firmus Energy saw revenues jump by more than 15 per cent last year to £26.5m.
Profits in the year to December, however, took a hit - falling almost 9 per cent to £8.8m - due in part to outlays related to the firm's price control.
Meanwhile, the company's supply business saw losses reduce to £1.4m, against £2.1m in 2014.
Firmus Energy Distribution is the part of the business that lays gas pipes around the so-called Ten Towns area which includes Derry, Antrim, Ballymena and Newry.
By the end of last year, it had connected 27,910 industrial, commercial and domestic customers in the network area.
It its strategic report filed with annual accounts at Companies House in Belfast, Firmus' directors said: "Significant expenditure in the year related to consultancy costs associated with the regulatory GD17 submission and the IT transition project".
Other spending included the laying of 112km of additional gas mains which together with an enhanced computer system saw total capital expenditure reach £11.7m.
This came as the company extended its network into new areas such as Richhill and Moy.
At the end of the year, Firmus Energy Supply provided gas to 27,626 in the Ten Towns area and a further 50,355 in the greater Belfast network.
Directors said principal risks to the company's performance included volatility of gas prices and competition (including from other fuel types).
"To offset the effects of competition, the company continues to focus its efforts on continuous improvement in customer service and explaining the long term economic and lifestyle benifits of natural gas compared with other fuels," they said.
Firmus Energy maintained a payroll of 92 people throughout the year, but the wage bill grew 17 per cent to £4.4m.
Directors' remuneration meanwhile more than doubled, reaching £392,585 from £155,867 with the highest paid receiving £143,064.
