Nicholl Oils has been named Sustainability Champion at the 2026 North West Business Awards, recognising its strong commitment to environmental responsibility, innovation and the transition to cleaner energy across Northern Ireland.

Based in Greysteel and serving the region for over six decades, the company was also shortlisted in the competitive Excellence in Retail category, highlighting its continued focus on customer service and operational excellence.

Driving Sustainable Change

Nicholl Oils is guided by a long-term vision to deliver reliable energy while reducing environmental impact and supporting a more sustainable future.

This approach is reflected across the business. All sites operate on 100 per cent renewable electricity with zero carbon emissions, while continued investment in energy efficient infrastructure ensures operations remain as low impact as possible.

A central part of this strategy is the expansion of solar energy systems across depots, forecourts and offices. These installations generate clean electricity on site, reducing reliance on traditional energy sources and significantly lowering emissions.

The environmental benefits are clear and measurable:

  • A significant reduction in harmful greenhouse gas emissions, including CO₂
  • Carbon savings equivalent to removing thousands of kilometres of car travel from the road each year
  • Impact comparable to planting hundreds of trees annually
  • Emissions avoided similar to reducing long haul flights

Alongside solar, Nicholl Oils continues to invest in LED lighting, improved infrastructure and energy management systems to further reduce waste and environmental risk.

Supporting the Transition to Cleaner Fuels

Nicholl Oils is actively supporting customers in moving towards lower carbon energy solutions.

A key part of this is the supply of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO), a sustainable alternative to conventional diesel. Produced entirely from verified waste materials such as used cooking oils and animal fats, HVO provides a lower carbon solution without contributing to deforestation.

The company’s Clean Air HVO delivers:

  • Up to 90 per cent reduction in net CO₂ emissions compared to diesel
  • Reduced particulate matter and nitrogen oxide emissions, helping improve local air quality
  • Reliable performance in all weather conditions
  • Increased safety in storage and handling due to a higher flashpoint

Available across the expanding Nicholl Auto 365 forecourt network and for bulk supply, HVO enables customers to make immediate and practical reductions to their carbon footprint.

Nicholl Oils also uses HVO within its own delivery fleet and continues to improve logistics to minimise emissions.

A Whole Business Approach

Sustainability is embedded throughout Nicholl Oils. From renewable electricity and solar generation to efficient fleet management and cleaner fuel options, the business has taken a joined-up approach to reducing its environmental footprint.

This ensures meaningful, measurable progress while maintaining the reliable service customers expect.

A Proud Achievement

Margaret Gallagher, Retail Director at Nicholl Oils, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised as Sustainability Champion at the North West Business Awards. This reflects the hard work of our entire team and our commitment to operating responsibly for our customers, our communities and the environment.

As a company that has served Northern Ireland for over 60 years, we understand the importance of evolving. From investing in solar energy across our sites to introducing Clean Air HVO, we are committed to building a cleaner and more sustainable future.”

The North West Business Awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the region, and Nicholl Oils’ success highlights the important role local businesses play in creating a more sustainable economy.

Looking ahead, the company remains focused on expanding its renewable initiatives, supporting customers in reducing their environmental impact and continuing to invest in solutions that protect the environment for future generations.