Federal Network Agency approves the concept for the gas storage neutrality charge methodology

Berlin/Ratingen, 1 August 2022 • The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) has approved the concept developed by Trading Hub Europe GmbH (THE) for the neutrality charge methodology in accordance with Section 35e of the Energy Industry Act to ensure the filling level specifications for gas storage facilities (gas storage neutrality charge). The gas storage neutrality charge will be determined for the first time on October 1, 2022.

The corresponding approval procedure was initiated on May 30, 2022 at the request of THE. Until June 14, 2022 market participants were able to submit corresponding statements to the BNetzA. Based on the feedback received, THE made adjustments to the initial concept and submitted a corresponding change request to the BNetzA.

“The concept that has now been approved in particular provides that the period for which the neutrality charge is determined will generally be six months. This does not apply to the first and last period, for which a three-month period is used. In addition, we will not use a liquidity buffer," explains Dr. Thomas Becker, Managing Director of THE.

The gas storage neutrality charge that will apply from October 1, 2022 will be published no later than six weeks before the start of the period.