20.05.2015
Eustream proposes the gas market integration concept for the Central Europe region
Slovak gas transmission system operator (TSO ), Eustream, comes with a new concept for the increase of technical capacity for gas transmission and extension of the capacity of the existing gas transit route between the interconnection points Lanžhot (CZ/SK) and Baumgarten (SK/AT).
The increased capacity should help to enhance the market integration of Czech, Slovak and Austrian gas markets.
Slovak gas transmission system operator (TSO ), Eustream, comes with a new concept for the increase of technical capacity for gas transmission and extension of the capacity of the existing gas transit route between the interconnection points Lanžhot (CZ/SK) and Baumgarten (SK/AT).
The increased capacity should help to enhance the market integration of Czech, Slovak and Austrian gas markets.
„Operating the gas pipeline Nord Stream for gas transit to Europe means that the north – south direction started to play important role in transmission systems of the Czech and Slovak gas transmission system operators. The system is in this north-south direction currently booked close to its maximal technical capacity,“ says the general director of Eustream, Rastislav Ňukovič.
The engineering studies performed by Eustream indicate clearly the possibility of increase of the technical capacity of this infrastructure from existing 67 mcm/day up to the 140 mcm/day. This can be among others achieved by the construction of the new compressor station till 2018.
Such newly created capacity should be used for the purpose of deeper gas market integration of these three neighbouring countries, leading among others to gas price convergence. „We propose the creation of virtual pipe in existing gas transit system across Slovak territory. This we have analysed as the best solution how to quickly and efficiently reach the goal of market integration. Furthermore it is significantly more financially and environmentally efficient solution compared to construction of any potential new pipeline,“ says Rastislav Ňukovič.
Realization of this proposed concept will improve the efficiency of the existing gas transmission infrastructure from Lanžhot to Baumgarten and will significantly enhance the gas market liquidity with minimal costs.
This concept proposed by Eustream is a reaction to conclusions of the latest Madrid forum of energy regulators as of April 2015, which calls for deeper integration of gas markets in Central Europe. If the proposal to increase the capacities between Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria will materialize then not only gas market integration via market coupling will be facilitated but also the security of supply in Central Europe will improve very much. Eustream is prepared to actively support and promote this new concept and to provide to all concerned partners the maximum possible details about this concept.All News