The Agency publishes today its first ACER Report on the implementation of the Interoperability and Data Exchange Network Code, which aims at aligning the complex technical procedures used between Transmission System Operators (TSOs) and between TSOs and network users within the EU. The Report explores the effectiveness of the implementation of this code in the EU Member States. Rules on interoperability and data exchange cover ways in which network operators manage gas flows across borders, deal with differences in gas quality and exchange data between themselves and market players. The Code is applicable since 1 May 2016.
The Report evaluates the key features of the national implementation and reflects on the extent to which they achieve the primary objectives of the Code. To compare these approaches, the Report uses an assessment tool which describes in a standard manner the different national approaches to interoperability and data exchange. It provides conclusions and recommendations to strengthen the application of this code across the EU.
The Report contains an enhanced review of the country assessments for 19 Member States: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Denmark, Greece, Spain, France Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia and United Kingdom. The Report focuses on Interconnection Agreements, Gas Quality and Odourisation, and Data Exchange.
Main findings:
- Most Interconnection Agreements -arrangements among TSOs at a given interconnection point- are in place, but regulatory supervision is insufficient. The Agency observes that the quality of the Interconnection Agreements could be improved. National Regulatory Authorities for Energy (NRAs) should proactively assess the Interconnection Agreements in place using the standard methodology set in the Report. Alternatively, NRAs with less or limited technical resources may delegate this assessment to the Agency.
- The harmonisation of data exchanges is not achieved yet. The process faced initial delays and it is still on-going. As an outcome, the standard developed by the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas is not applied everywhere in the European Union.
- While Gas Quality and Odourisation do not currently cause barriers to trade, the transparency standard set in the Code is not met, in particular regarding information on short-term gas quality variations.
- NRAs should promote the implementation of the ENTSOG Data Exchange standard by TSOs, called the Common Network Operation Tool (“CNOT”).
- The Agency will further monitor the evolution of the implementation of the provisions of the Code in the coming years with a focus on the outstanding issues.
Access the report here.
Additional links:
Interoperability page on Network Code and code development
EU Regulation establishing a network code on interoperability and data exchange rules
EU Regulation on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks