The European Network of Transmission Operators for Gas (ENTSOG) has submitted its first Network Code to the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER). The code is the first to be produced under the EU Third Energy Package and will help to define the manner in which system users gain access to the European gas grid, with the aim of developing a single European gas market.
The EU Third Energy Package provided for the establishment of two new European-wide organisations – one for gas system operators, ENTSOG and one for regulators, ACER. ENTSOG was founded in 2009 and it comprises 39 members from 23 EU countries, including Ireland. It is responsible for defining rules (network codes) to develop a single European gas market.
Commenting on the latest development, Aidan O’Sullivan, general manager of Gaslink, the operator of Ireland’s gas network, says: “The network code marks high level participation and close cooperation from all areas of the gas industry. We believe that the introduction of common rules will make a significant contribution to the development and functioning of the internal gas market.”
ACER will now have three months to provide an opinion to ENTSOG, following which the network code will be submitted to the European Commission for ratification.
CAPTION:
Pictured (from left): Ann-Marie Colbert, advisor, ENTSOG (seconded from Gaslink); Stephan Kamphues, president of ENTSOG; Gunther Oettinger, EU Commissioner; Aidan O’Sullivan, general manager of Gaslink; and Noel Regan, advisor, ENTSOG) (seconded from Gaslink).