FNB Gas on the draft RAMEN definition

Statement by Barbara Fischer, FNB Gas Managing Director, on the interim status of the Federal Network Agency’s NEST (Netze, Effizient, Sicher, Transformiert) process for the further development of the regulatory framework for gas grids:

The TSOs welcome the so-called N.E.S.T. process for the further development of the regulatory system. However, the BNetzA’s considerations submitted for consultation are not yet sufficient to make the regulatory framework fit for the challenges of the transformation. There is a lack of further development suitable for transformation to enable flexible and resilient grid development for the transformation.

On the contrary, transmission system operators are noticing a tightening of regulation in many areas and are concerned that the special requirements of the transmission level with its responsibility for security of supply and integrated network development for gas and hydrogen have not yet been taken into account. This creates serious uncertainties for transmission system operators in particular. Network operators and their shareholders and other investors need a reliable and sustainable regulatory framework in order to be able to ensure the necessary investments in system security and transformation. The high availability and efficiency of the transport infrastructure represents a relevant locational advantage for Germany and must not be jeopardized.

Efficiency is important and right, but cannot be ensured with the same instruments as in the past. The TSOs doubt that a European or national efficiency comparison can achieve usable results for the TSOs in the future. The heterogeneity that already exists today will increase considerably as a result of the transformation, meaning that companies will no longer be comparable.

In addition, the TSOs emphasize that they are basically competing with the TSOs for the same type of investors and capital providers. As a result, the regulatory system for the TSOs must therefore be comparable with the TSOs and must not put the TSOs in a worse position.”

Our statements are available in the downloads.