European level integration

The ARERA and Snam also work at an European level in the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSOG), respectively.

In 2017, 78 connection contracts were stipulated for the construction of new delivery/redelivery points (including 13 for the injection of biomethane) or the upgrading of existing points.

These two bodies are, respectively, responsible for developing European guidelines and codes that will contribute to the creation of a single natural gas market. Jointly with the European Commission, ACER and ENTSOG belong to the “Implementation and Monitoring Group”, tasked with facilitating and verifying the actual implementation of the Codes in the different EU countries.

The following progresses were made in 2017:

  • The implementation of the EU rules on the allocation of capacity, balancing and interoperability was completed.
  • The Implementation of European codes on tariffs and the new rules included in the CAM code on the sale of newly created transportation capacity, for which the legislative approval process was concluded and that already came into force, for the part regarding the new provisions, in 2017.
  • The starting of the works to prepare the Ten Year Development Plan of the European transportation network, with the publication of a draft report containing the scenarios shared between ENTSOG and ENTSOE (“Scenario Report”), based on the respective ten-year plans of the two associations (TYNDP 2018).
  • The drafting and publishing of two regional investment plans (GRIPs) which concern the south north connecting route between Italy and Northern European markets, relevant for reverse flows, and the South-East Europe area, involving the new natural gas procurement routes from the Caspian Sea region.
  • The preparation of around 20 documents including responses to public consultations and association positions, in relation to documents and opinions produced mainly by the European Commission and ACER. The most important consultation issues regarded the EU and domestic market energy policy developments, with special reference to the role of gas in the future energy mix and that of infrastructures in guaranteeing benefits in terms of security of supply, competitiveness and sustainability.
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