Regulation 2013/984 - Network Code on Capacity Allocation Mechanisms in Gas Transmission Systems and supplementing Regulation 715/2009 - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 273/5

Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 sets non-discriminatory rules for access conditions to natural gas transmission systems with a view to ensuring the proper functioning of the internal market in gas.

Duplication of gas transmission systems is in most cases neither economic nor efficient. Competition in natural gas markets therefore requires a transparent and non-discriminatory access to gas infrastructure for all network users. However, in large parts of the Union the lack of equal and transparent access to transmission capacity remains a major obstacle for achieving effective competition on the wholesale market. Furthermore, the fact that national rules differ from one Member State to another hampers the creation of a well-functioning internal market for gas.

Inefficient use of and limited access to the Union’s high-pressure gas pipelines lead to suboptimal market conditions. A more transparent, efficient and non-discriminatory system of allocation of scarce transmission capacities needs to be implemented for the Union’s high-pressure gas grids, so that cross-border competition can further develop and market integration can progress. Developing such rules has been consistently supported by stakeholders.

Bringing about effective competition between suppliers from inside and outside the Union requires that they are able to flexibly use the existing transmission systems to ship their gas according to price signals. Only a well-functioning network of interconnected transmission grids, offering equal access conditions to all, allows gas to flow freely across the Union. That in turn attracts more suppliers, increasing liquidity at the trading hubs and contributing to efficient price discovery mechanisms and consequently fair gas prices that are based on the principle of demand and supply.

This Regulation establishing a network code on capacity allocation mechanism in gas transmission systems aims to establish the necessary degree of harmonisation across Europe. The effective implementation of this Regulation furthermore relies on the introduction of tariff systems which are consistent with the capacity allocation mechanisms proposed in this Regulation, to ensure the implementation without detrimental effect on the revenues and cash flow positions of transmission system operators.

This Regulation has been adopted on the basis of Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 which it supplements and of which it forms an integral part. References to Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 in other legal acts shall be understood as also referring to this Regulation. This Regulation does not apply to natural gas transmission systems situated in Member States for the duration of derogations granted under Article 49 of Directive 2009/73/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (2). This Regulation does apply to non-exempted capacities in major new infrastructures which have received an exemption from Article 32 of Directive 2009/73/EC or from the former Article 18 of Directive 2003/55/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) to the extent the application of this...