Poland enters German NS 2 certification process

Poland enters German NS 2 certification process

The German network regulator BNetzA has granted the Polish state PGNiG and its German subsidiary PGNiG Supply & Trading (PST) the right to participate in the certification process of Nord Stream 2, the Polish company announced on September 22.

Certification is a key requirement if the 55 billion m³ / year gas pipeline connecting Russia to Germany is to start commercial operations, and Poland is determined to prevent it.

Gazprom’s 100% Swiss subsidiary, Nord Stream 2 AG, is seeking certification as an independent transmission system operator (ITO), while continuing to fight in court for the application of amended onshore regulations to a offshore gas pipeline.

“We are delighted with BNetzA’s decision to grant both companies participation in the certification process. The application for Independent Transmission System Owner (ITO) model certification filed by Nord Stream 2 AG proves that the Swiss company is still seeking regulatory privileges.

“The effects of our involvement in the Nord Stream 2 affair show that we can effectively defend our position. PGNiG and PST and dismissed the complaint of Nord Stream 2 AG, ”said CEO of PGNiG, Paweł Majewski.

Not only does the pipeline fail to meet ITO certification requirements, but a positive BNetzA decision would endanger the security of supply of the EU and member states, they said. And this despite gas prices in Europe, which are so high that industrial users are reducing their production.

“In the certification process, we will also ensure that the owner of Nord Stream 2 cannot avoid the application of requirements for unbundling ownership, third party access and transparent tariffs that take into account the costs of the entire pipeline. We will systematically prove that Nord Stream 2 AG does not meet the formal and material requirements of the pipeline operator, in particular those relating to security of supply and the corporate structure of the company, ”said Majewski.

Operating without a final certification decision would discriminate against other energy companies and distort competition in the internal gas market. For this reason, he stated, PGNiG and PST reserve the right to use all legal measures to oppose such behavior by Nord Stream 2 AG.

The European Commission (EC) is also a party to the proceedings and will deliver its opinion to the BNetzA. PGNiG said BNetzA would “take the advice of the EC fully into account”.