Bnetza consults on extended interruptible gas cap plans

German regulator Bnetza has launched a consultation on plans to apply higher discounts on interruptible gas transport capacity at domestic grid points once Germany's NCG and Gaspool market areas are merged.

Bnetza plans to increase the minimum discount granted on interruptible capacity at domestic network points — such as those linking storage sites, industrial consumers and local distribution systems to the grid — to 20pc following the merger, from 10pc previously.

It already earlier this month finalised regulatory changes that will lift the minimum discount to 20pc from 10pc at border connection points once the markets are merged, which is scheduled for 1 October 2021.

In response to these initial rule changes, market participants had called for the higher discounts to be extended to domestic points which prompted the new consultation. Restricting discounts to border connection points could lead to discrimination between different network users, market participants had said.

Bnetza had said larger discounts would better reflect increased uncertainties and a higher likelihood of interruptions once the market areas are merged. German system operators association FNB expects that entry capacity to the country's grid may fall sharply once the market areas are merged, consequently increasing the risk of bottlenecks.

Market participants have until 7 October to respond to Bnetza's consultation on the higher discounts at domestic points.

By Stefan Krümpelmann