The VOLKER regulation expires on March 31, 2024. Pending the extension of this regulation, GRTgaz Deutschland and OGE will suspend the marketing of capacities at the VIP France - Germany Entry from March 30, 2024.

With the VOLKER regulation, the BNetzA has enabled a physical flow of odorized gas from France from October 2022 to March 31, 2024. An extension is supported by the responsible BNetzA Ruling Chamber 9, but is still in consultation.

Due to the pending extension of the legislation, GRTD and OGE have decided to suspend the marketing of gas capacities on the VIP France-Germany in the direction from France to Germany.

We regret this restriction and hope to resume transport soon. As soon as new information is available from the BNetzA, we will inform the market.

From January 3, 2024, GRTgaz Deutschland GmbH and Open Grid Europe GmbH have allocated additional FZK volumes to VIP France Germany Entry. The French grid operator GRTgaz is also increasing the maximum available volume on the French side to up to 180 GWh/j. GRTgaz has published a market communication for further details on the provision and determination of the available daily capacities on the French side.

In total, this results in a new technically available capacity (TVK) at the VIP France Germany Entry of 7,500,000 kWh/h (sum of TVKs provided by OGE and GRTgaz Germany) from January 3, 2024.

The capacities on the French side are determined on a daily basis so that the volumes are offered as a bundled day-ahead and withinday product on Prisma.

The Federal Network Agency (BNetzA) provides an IT security catalog on the basis of Section 11 (1a) of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).

The legislation obliges grid operators to have their information security management system (ISMS) certified in accordance with DIN ISO/IEC 27001.

The IT security catalog contains requirements to ensure adequate protection against threats to telecommunications and electronic data processing systems that are necessary for secure grid operation.

After a 14-month process, Grtgaz Deutschland receives the certificate from TÜV Rheinland for successfully completing the ISMS certification.

Further information can be found on the TÜV Rheinland website. (in german only) 

On the occasion of the COP28 in Dubai, UNEP (United Nation Environment Program) published its 3rd edition of International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) report, An Eye on Methane. This report provides the latest updates on methane emission reductions. 

The Oil and Gas Methane Partnership (OGMP) 2.0 is a voluntary initiative launched by UNEP that aims to improve the reporting transparency and accuracy of methane emissions from the oil and gas sector.

Over the last years, GRTgaz Deutschland significantly increased its involvement in climate initiatives and our efforts have been publicly recognized.

For the quality of its reporting, GRTgaz Deutschland has been certified with the Gold Standard since 2021, the highest level of recognition for our progress in this initiative.

GRTgaz Deutschland is fully committed and on track to achieve ambitious methane emission reduction targets : 60 % reduction by 2025.

Read the report on the UNEP website here

On Tuesday November 14, the German government, in partnership with FNB gas, announced its intention to accelerate the development of its future interconnected hydrogen network. On Wednesday 15 November, these measures have been officially adopted, launching a new phase for the projects that form the futur global hydrogen network.

Once completed, the total length of the hydrogen core network will be around 9,700 km, in 2032.

60% of the network will consist of converted existing pipelines.

GRTgaz Deutschland is making a significant contribution to this global project by adapting its existing infrastructure.

The MEGAL pipeline will be part of the German hydrogen backbone and will facilitate the transport of green, low-carbon hydrogen from the Iberian Peninsula via France to Germany.

The Hy-Fen project, promoted by GRTgaz, is expected to make this supply from western Europe possible by 2030, and provide a connection to the German network.

The German hydrogen economy is about to take a major step forward and GRTgaz Deutschland is pleased to be part of it.

Further information can be found on the FNB GAS website. (in german)

All the projects that make up this Network are described in detail.

FNB compares the July draft with the final version of the project 

What happens next ?

GRTgaz Deutschland will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year! The organisation founded in 2003 as a child operation of Gaz de France Transport has experienced various changes in the industry. Their 40 employees celebrate not only the anniversary, but the ambitious plans to evolve the industry as it looks ahead to the future.

From Gaz de France Transport to GRTgaz, from NetConnect Germany to Trading Hub Europe, through its ITO certification, the founding of an intrapreneurial startup, appygas, and an innovative approach to current geopolitical events, we renew our actions to help create a sustainable and economical future: natural gas today, hydrogen tomorrow.

Read the press release