Transmission system operators announce consultation

• Three new modelling variants (LNGplus) for replacing Russian natural gas with LNG and hydrogen
• Updated demand forecasts for natural gas for LNGplus
• Three-week consultation on an expanded Scenario Framework commences on 26 September 2022
• Deadline for capacity reservation and network expansion requests for LNG facilities expires on 30 September 2022

The Russian war of aggression on Ukraine has fundamentally changed the parameters of the gas sector. Greater diversification of gas sources, for example through LNG, and a rapid switch from natural gas to hydrogen will be key to drastically reducing dependence on Russian natural gas or even completely replacing Russian gas volumes. These changes will have an impact on gas supply and demand and hence inevitably on network planning.

The gas transmission system operators (TSOs) therefore consider it necessary to add three modelling variants (LNGplus) to the Scenario Framework for the Gas NDP 2022-2032, which was already confirmed in January 2022, and to facilitate the complete replacement of Russian natural gas volumes with LNG and hydrogen as well as adjust the demand forecasts for this purpose.

In order to achieve the network expansions required for security of supply as quickly as possible despite the current challenging situation, the additions to the scenario framework and modelling variants were discussed with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) ahead of the consultation. The next step will now be for the gas TSOs to submit their expanded Scenario Framework for consultation in accordance with section 15a of the German Energy industry Act (EnWG).

This consultation will start on 26 September and end on 16 October. This deadline reflects the fact that time is of the essence for these new variants. The process was also coordinated with the Federal Network Agency.

The gas TSOs wish to point out that capacity reservation requests in accordance with section 38 and expansion requests in accordance with section 39 of the Gas Network Access Ordinance (GasNZV) for LNG facilities must be submitted to the relevant gas TSOs by 30 September 2022 in order to be incorporated into the expanded Scenario Framework for the Gas NDP 2022-2032.