2009-11-17
RWE Rheinland Westfalen Netz, Fluxys and RWE Transgas Net have launched a market survey to assess the level of market demand for additional long-term transit capacity from the Czech Republic via Germany to Belgium and reverse. The project is an attractive opportunity to strengthen security of supply and competition on the major markets in Western and Eastern Europe.
Boosting development of the European natural gas market
The proposed project actively contributes to the development of the European natural gas market through a three-fold approach:
- match the expected shifts in both European natural gas demand and supply sources;
- contribute to improved interconnections between European entry points and market areas as well as between European gas hubs and markets;
- simplify access to long-distance or cross-border capacities.
Project to accommodate flows from three main pipe gas import corridors
The proposed project will accommodate additional natural gas flows coming from three main pipe gas import corridors into Europe:
- Russian natural gas entering Europe through the Northern and middle corridor
- Norwegian natural gas moving into the UK and the Western part of Continental Europe
- Caspian and Russian natural gas to enter South-Eastern Europe in the future
Additional capacity to be made available end 2014
Depending on the level and nature of interest, the project could involve in Germany the construction of the Middle European Transversal pipeline (MET) with a length of 740 km connecting the transmission system of Czech TSO RWE Transgas Net with the transmission grid of Belgian TSO Fluxys. In Belgium and Czech Republic, investments in new infrastructure might also be realised so as to provide the market with additional capacity if required.
The MET-Pipeline will cross 6 federal states (NRW, Hessen, Lower Saxony, Saxony, Thuringia, Saxony-Anhalt) in Germany and is currently designed to have a minimum capacity of 8 bcm/y. The pipeline is to provide access to major gas consumption areas as well as to important gas pipelines and storages in Germany. Constructive team work by all the parties and stakeholders involved lead to a successful closing in August this year of the regional planning procedure (in German language: Raumordnungsverfahren) in all 6 federal states of Germany crossed by the pipeline.
If required and economically feasible, RWE Rheinland Westfalen Netz, Fluxys and RWE Transgas Net envisage to make additional capacity available by the end of 2014. The actual commissioning date may depend on the level and type of new investments required and on permitting constraints. A phased implementation of the project could be envisaged.
Project to foster competition in Europe and increase the level of security of supply
The envisaged project will increase the level of security of supply for Europe and foster competition on the major markets in Western and Central Europe. In order to do so, shippers will be offered the opportunity to combine various entry and off-take points along the MET Pipeline and the Belgium and Czech gas transportation systems.
Information brochure available
An Information Brochure on the project was sent to a wide range of companies in the energy industry. The document outlines the scope of the transit services RWE Rheinland Westfalen Netz, Fluxys and RWE Transgas Net consider to make available and invites prospective shippers to express bona fide interest by 26 February 2010. The Information Brochure is also available with the project partners (see below).
Press contacts
Sales contact Fluxys
Grégory Duvivier
Tel.: +32 2 282 71 45
Fax: +32 2 282 02 50
info.transport@fluxys.com
Back to overview