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German energy regulator to slash LNG feed-in rates
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FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Germany will slash feed-in rates for pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) into its pipelines from new floating LNG terminals next year, the network regulator said on Friday, as the country seeks to lessen dependency on pipeline gas from Russia.
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – Germany will slash feed-in rates for pumping liquefied natural gas (LNG) into its pipelines from new floating LNG terminals next year, the network regulator said on Friday, as the country seeks to lessen dependency on pipeline gas from Russia.
The rates for injecting annual and quarterly gas delivery volumes from LNG points into long-distance transmission pipelines will be cut by 40% relative to onshore tariffs, said the regulator.
The agency governs such tariffs in a regulated sector where consumers share the cost of grid transport as part of their bills.
“With the discount, we are setting appropriate fees at feed-in points from LNG landing points without losing sight of the interests of other network users,” said Klaus Mueller, president of the Federal Network Agency, the Bundesnetzagentur.
Germany last month cleared the way for four floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) to operate along its North Sea coast in order to secure more LNG and diversify its gas supplies away from Russia.
The statement by the Bonn-based Bundesnetzagentur said the discount would make Germany’s LNG transmission competitive with that of the Netherlands and France, where there are already huge costal terminals.
The European Union’s high-pressure pipeline grids that criss-cross the continent and the expanded LNG infrastructure will need aligning under single energy market rules, the regulator said.
These seek to harmonise economic benefits for member states and allow transmission system operators (TSOs) to run and balance the interdependent systems.
(Reporting by Vera Eckert, editing by Rachel More and Kirsten Donovan)
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is natural gas that has been cooled to a liquid state, making it easier to store and transport. It is primarily used for energy production and heating.
Feed-in tariffs are payments made to energy producers for the electricity they generate and supply to the grid. These tariffs are designed to encourage investment in renewable energy sources.
A regulatory framework refers to the set of rules, guidelines, and laws that govern how an industry operates. It ensures compliance and promotes fair practices within the market.
Energy independence is the ability of a country to meet its energy needs without relying on external sources. It is often pursued to enhance national security and economic stability.
A network regulator oversees the operations of energy and utility markets, ensuring fair competition, setting tariffs, and protecting consumer interests within the energy sector.
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