Belgium/Luxembourg merger creates new NCG/ZTP natural gas capacity

A new transmission capacity product to deliver natural gas from the German NCG hub to Belgium’s virtual ZTP hub via the Germany/Luxembourg Remich interconnection point is due to be made available in June 2015, Belgian grid operator Fluxys has announced.

The new capacity offer is part of plans to integrate the gas markets in Belgium and Luxembourg by Q4 2015 ( see ESGM 21 October 2014 ).

According to details on the Fluxys website, the quarterly NCG/ZTP capacity will be offered as a bundled product, but shippers will only subscribe capacity and submit entry nominations on the Belgium/Luxembourg side of the Remich interconnection. Luxembourg grid operator Creos will subscribe and operate capacity on the German side.

The “conditioned” capacity product will be subject to nomination obligations and restrictions depending on consumption in Luxembourg to guarantee security of supply. Full details will be published before the June 2015 auction.

At present, capacity between the German and Belgian markets is only available at the bi-directional Eynatten interconnection point, with bundled ZTP/NCG and ZTP/GASPOOL capacity available via the electronic PRISMA auction platform.

New details on Fluxys website also confirm that interconnection between Belgium and Luxembourg will cease to exist as a commercialised point when the two countries form a single market, but more physical capacity will be available towards Luxembourg as Fluxys will increase pressure at the interconnection.

A public consultation covering all regulatory documents is due early in 2015. Jake Horslen