ACER reports on the implementation of the Network Code on harmonised transmission tariff structures for gas​​​​. The Agency's implementation monitoring promotes a better interpretation of the EU tariff legislation's key principles concerning national practices' and their compatibility with EU rules.​

ACER found that transparency about the reference price methodologies has improved significantly. This suggests an improvement in the understanding of tariff setting methodologies in the EU, which may lead to more effective tariff designs in the future. Regional networks need to be better defined, as different treatments of regional networks across the EU persist. The Agency also recorded some charges unrelated to transmission activities and stressed the importance of financial neutrality.

The report also covers tariff changes and an assessment of best practices related to the allowed revenue methodologies.

ACER monitors the effective implementation of the Gas Balancing Net​work Code​ and shares its findings in dedicated reports. Most reports used an enhanced review of the country assessments for all or a large subset of balancing zones, focusing on key features of the balancing design.

What are the main findings?

Interim measures have been terminated in most countries and Code implementation has reached a high degree across Europe, with a few exceptions due to structural market limitations.

What does ACER say?

ACER recommends to increase transparency on information provision, also beyond the minimum requirements, and to explore possible efficiency gains (e.g. via balancing zone mergers) to overcome the persisting structural market limitations that do not allow full code implementation.

What is the Balancing Analytical Framework and how it can serve monitoring?

The Balancing Analytical Framework builds on analysing neutrality as a key indicator to understand robust gas accounting and wider regime performance. The Balancing Analytical Framework serves as a quantitative comparison tool, to quantify whether the role of the TSO is residual in balancing or whether network users play an active role, while shedding light on imbalance price differences and neutrality accounting. The framework facilitates comparisons between various balancing regimes in the European Union. The data used in the analysis was provided by ENTSOG and complemented and validated by the Agency. ​

Workshops

​To facilitate the discussion and sharing of best practices on the Code's implementation, a series of workshops was organised. These debates included inputs from the Agency, ENTSOG and representatives of the network user community.​​​​

ACER gas balancing dashboard

Check out ACER's gas balancing dashboard & learn how to interact with it.

The North West (NW) region has been inactive since 2014. Cooperation continues on a bilateral or multilateral basis, outside the setting of the GRI.

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The region was formed by the following countries:

• Belgium

• Denmark

• France

• Germany

• Ireland

• Luxemburg

• Netherlands

• Sweden

• United Kingdom

• Norway (observer, non-EU country)

The region produces, and consumes, the highest amount of gas in Europe. The region also hosts the most developed gas markets and hubs in the EU.