​​​​​​Our perspective is European. Our overall purpose is to achieve a transition of the European energy system in line with political objectives set, reaping benefits of increased energy market integration across Europe, and securing low-carbon supply at least possible cost for European businesses and citizens.​

​ACER fosters a fully integrated and well-functioning Inter​na​l Energy Market, where electricity and gas are traded and supplied according to the highest integrity and transparency standards, so that EU consumers can benefit from a wider choice, fair prices and greater protection.

To achieve this, we work closely with the European Institutions, National Regulatory Authorities (NRAs), national governments and market players.

Over time, the Agency received additional tasks and responsibilities to better pursue the integration of the European internal energy market. With the latest provisions adopted in the Clean Energ​y Package​ (2019), the Agency has also further strengthened its responsibilities on the coordination with NRAs and cross-border cooperation.​

The TEN-E Regulation introduced the so called “Projects of Common Interest" (PCIs). PCIs are infrastructure projects which have a significant impact on the EU electricity and gas systems, and help the EU achieving its energy policy and climate objectives: ensuring affordable, secure, and sustainable energy for all citizens.

PCIs also play a key role in the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.

The PCI label helps accelerating the planning, streamlining permit granting and thus facilitating faster commissioning of projects, which bring the highest value to the European consumer.

Every two years, the European Commission draws up a list of PCIs, starting with the first list in 2013.

In April 2022 the fifth PCI list entered into force, with 98 projects in total: 72 electricity transmission, storage and smart grid projects, 20 gas and 6 CO2 network projects.

On 3 June 2022, the revised TEN-E Regulation was published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

The new Regulation, among others, aims to:

• conform the infrastructure development to reflect the climate mitigation’s targets,
• promote the integration of renewables and of clean energy technologies into the energy system,
• continue to connect isolated regions,
• strengthen existing cross-border interconnections and
• promote cooperation with partner countries.

ACER contributes to efficient and consistent gas network development plans by monitoring the development and implementation of the European-wide TYNDP. ACER also reviews the consistency and complementarity of national, regional and European network development plans.

Additionally, the Agency monitors the implementation of the projects of common interest, which are a subset of the projects listed in the TYNDPs, as well as the gas regional investment plans (GRIPs).

What is the TYNDP and why is it important?

Every two years, ENTSOG publishes a non-binding Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP), which looks forward over a ten-year horizon and includes a European supply adequacy outlook. These periodically updated plans are essential for identifying the need of new infrastructure projects to ensure an adequate level of security of gas supply. The TYNDP must be consistent with the National Development Plans (NDPs).

The Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) are selected from the most recent TYNDP via a separate process led by the European Commission. The TYNDP should provide essential and comprehensive information for the selection of PCIs, particularly a complete, monetised, and trustable cost-benefit analysis results.
 

What is the role of ACER?

ACER is mandated to monitor the development and execution of ENTSOG's Plan. As a result, ACER issues an opinion on the draft TYNDP taking into account the objectives of non-discrimination, effective competition, and the efficient and secure functioning of the internal gas market. ​
 

What are ACER's recommendations for improving future gas TYNDPs?

In July 2024, ACER published its feedback on ENTSOG’s “Implementation Guidelines and other complementary guidance documents” for the 2024 TYNDP, recommending further improvements (see our communication).

​​​​​Methane is widely regarded as one of the main greenhouse gases and its emissions are considered to be the second most important contributor to climate change. In the context of the Green Deal and as a part of the clean energy transition, the European Union has launched a dedicated effort for reducing methane emissions in the energy sector.

The effort takes into consideration the global nature of the industry and that about 80% of natural gas consumed in the European Union is imported. Approaches dealing with methane emissions in the natural gas industry have to account for the entire gas supply chain link, as well as for technology-specific features.

​​​​​​Cross-border energy infrastructure is the backbone connecting the European markets and allowing their integration. Gas pipelines, together with liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and underground gas storage (UGS) facilities, are the hardware supporting market integration, competition, and enhancing the security of supply in an efficient and sustainable way. If coupled with electricity, gas infrastructure can also support the energy transition towards a less carbon-intensive, and eventually carbon-neutral future.

Gas infrastructure offers flexibility, energy storage and back-up services which are already in place and of significant scale. Gas infrastructure is thus not just an object, but a tool that could contribute positively to the most profound decade of change in the European energy system.​

​​​​​​Network Codes and Guidelines are important instruments to organise access to the European Union's gas market. They aim at lowering barriers to entry for market participants, promoting market integration and improving market efficiency to the benefit of all EU citizens.

Why are the Network Codes important ?​

The gas industry is based on a vast interconnected physical network consisting of pipelines, LNG terminals, and gas storage facilities. Access to the EU gas market depends on access to the cross-border gas networks. To facilitate networks' access across EU Member States, the Union law foresaw to harmonise the relevant market rules in a number of Network Codes and Guidelines.

There are currently four gas Network Codes covering capacity allocation, tariffs, balancing rules, interoperability and data exchange rules, along with a Guideline on congestion management.

• Capacity Allocation: ensures auctioning of standard capacity products across the EU. The allocation rules foresee bundling of pipeline capacities at both sides of a border and selling them as a single product, thus simplifying trades between neighbouring systems.
• Harmonised Transmission Tariffs: provides transparent and harmonised measures for the charging methodologies, revenue recovery, reserve and payable price across the EU. These rules facilitate competition and promote the efficient use and development of the gas transmission network.
• Balancing Rules: market-based balancing rules financially incentivise network users to balance their positions with short-term products. In doing so, balancing rules contribute to the creation and development of short-term gas wholesale markets in the EU.
• Interoperability and Data Exchange Rules: create operational, technical, communication and business rules for the proper operation and interoperability of gas transmission systems.
• Congestion Guidelines​: facilitate the efficient use and maximisation of capacities in the gas transmission networks.​