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German regulator allows Naftogaz, GTSOU to participate in NS2 certification
(Updated version)
KYIV. Nov 15 (Interfax-Ukraine) – NJSC Naftogaz Ukrainy and Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU) LLC will take part in the certification procedure for the Nord Stream 2 operator, Naftogaz Board Chairman Yuriy Vitrenko and GTSOU Head Serhiy Makogon said on Facebook on Monday.
"This decision was made by the German regulator BNetzA. We are ready to provide our arguments why Nord Stream AG cannot be certified without its full compliance with European energy legislation," Vitrenko said.
According to him, the participation of Naftogaz in the certification procedure will also provide an opportunity to hear the NSAG arguments, which means greater transparency of the process.
"The German regulator emphasized that GTSOU is assigned a separate role as a company with unique expertise in gas transportation to the EU. We have strong arguments, both technical and political, that should put an end to Russian speculation in the European gas market," GTSOU Head Serhiy Makogon said.
Vitrenko recalled that Naftogaz is a participant in the European gas market, buying significant volumes of gas in it, therefore, they are interested in making this market competitive.
"The dominant position of Gazprom during the launch of Nord Stream 2, contrary to the requirements of European legislation, poses a threat to competition in the markets of Slovakia, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Austria and other European countries. The regulator must take this influence into account," the Naftogaz head said.
The Naftogaz head noted that European energy legislation requires the Nord Stream 2 operator to be completely separated and independent from Gazprom and that third parties have access to this gas pipeline not only in its last kilometers, but along its entire length, from the starting point in Russia.
"We hope that our arguments in this process will be heard and taken into account," he said.
As reported, the German regulator BNetzA, starting from September 8, has four months to consider an application of Nord Stream-2 AG for certification of the company as an independent operator of Nord Stream 2. Then BNetzA will submit a report to the European Commission, which has two months for its own conclusion and another two months if necessary.
On October 15, Naftogaz submitted an application for participation in the certification process for the Nord Stream 2 operator; before that, the Polish state gas company PGNiG achieved inclusion in the BNetzA certification procedure.
On October 20, the Ukrainian GTS Operator also submitted an application to BNetzA to participate in the certification process for Nord Stream-2 AG.
The Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline with an annual capacity of 55 billion cubic meters goes from the Slavyanskaya compressor station in Kingisepp district of Leningrad region in Russia to Germany’s Baltic coast. In October 2021, Gazprom announced its completion and an intention to launch it by the end of this year.
