Virtual Interconnection Points (VIP)

On 1 April 2022 Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD) will establish a Virtual Interconnection Point (VIP) between the market areas THE and TTF. We last informed the market about this on 22 February 2022. This VIP results from the merging of the VIPs TTF-NCG-H and TTF-GASPOOL-H; the merging takes place in cooperation with the adjacent network operator Gasunie Transport Services B.V. (GTS).

For transport periods from 1 April 2022 onwards, all capacity available at the time of launch from the previous VIPs will be offered at VIP TTF-THE-H. Below we explain details of the VIP launch.

On 31.03.2022, the first capacities will be offered on PRISMA as part of the daily auction for the transport period 01.04.2022 06:00 to 02.04.2022 06:00 at VIP TTF-THE-H by GUD, as the responsible VIP TSO. Interested shippers should therefore ensure that they have completed the registration process with GUD and the indication of the balancing groups to be used in good time before the auction starts. 

Details on marketing for the points mentioned below can be found on PRISMA:

As of 1 April 2022, booking at VIP TTF-GASPOOL-H is no longer possible.

Please note that all nominations for periods from 01.04.2022 06:00 onwards have to be made at the new VIP TTF-THE-H using EIC 21Z0019743987060. Nominations must be sent to GUD; concluded contracts will be settled by GUD.

Contracts existing at the above-mentioned previous VIPs and still running after 1 April 2022 will be transferred to the VIP TTF-THE-H; affected shippers have been informed separately about this.

Contracts which already existed at the underlying IPs before the introduction of the VIPs TTF-NCG-H and TTF-GASPOOL-H and which continue to exist beyond 1 April 2022 (so-called existing contracts) remain unaffected.

With the start of the VIP TTF-THE-H, capacity overruns at GUD are only possible at the IP Oude Statenzijl H (GUD), provided that the above-mentioned existing contracts exist.   Over-nominations are only possible at the VIP TTF-THE-H if the corresponding requirements are met.

With the start of VIP TTF-THE-H, capacity types that were previously only offered at VIP TTF-NCG-H can also be booked there: DZK, DZK1 and bFZK. The associated product descriptions can be found in the download section of our website.

Based on the market information dated 02.06.2021, the companies Fluxys TENP GmbH (Fluxys TENP), GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE), Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD), Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) and Thyssengas GmbH (TG) can confirm 01.04.2022 as the fix introduction date for the VIP THE-ZTP and the VIP TTF-THE-H and inform you about the first auctions on these VIPs:

Until the introduction of the THE-VIPs, the marketing of capacities at the existing VIPs will be continued. As soon as the new THE-VIPs are set up, the transport contracts already concluded at the existing VIPs will be transferred to the new THE-VIPs and the relevant VIP-TSOs, as described in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions of the transmission system operators (TSOs).

OGE kindly asks shippers who want to book capacity at the VIP THE-ZTP to register with OGE in due time. Similarly, GUD kindly asks shippers who want to book capacity at the VIP TTF-THE-H to register with GUD in due time.

According to Article 19, 9. of the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/459 of 16 March 2017 (CAM NC) transmission system operators shall offer available capacities of interconnection points connecting the same adjacent entry-exit-systems at one virtual interconnection point to provide one single capacity service as defined in Article 3, 23. CAM NC.

Citation CAM NC Article 19, 9. sentence 1 for information:

“Where two or more interconnection points connect the same two adjacent entry-exit systems, the adjacent transmission system operators concerned shall offer the available capacities at the interconnection points at one virtual interconnection point.“

The contractual agreement of the transmission system operators on the virtual interconnection point "VIP TTF-THE-H" also includes regulations on matching, allocation and communication procedures which replace the previous regulations on these topics from the interconnection agreement between GTS and GUD. You can find said regulations here.

Taking into account that transmission system operators are obliged to invite network users to comment on these three subjects pursuant to Article 4, 2. of Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 (INT NC), GUD would like to give its network users the opportunity to also comments on these three topics of the planned agreement on the “VIP TTF-THE-H”.

Citation INT NC Article 4, 2. for information:

“Before concluding or amending an interconnection agreement which contains rules referred to in Article 3(c), (d) and (e), transmission system operators shall invite network users to comment on the proposed text of those rules at least two months before the agreement is concluded or amended. The transmission system operators shall take the network users‘ comments into account when concluding or amending their interconnection agreement.“

f your company currently uses transport capacities at the border interconnection points “Oude Statenzijl H” or at “VIP‑TTF‑GASPOOL‑H” or intends to use transport capacities at the virtual interconnection point “VIP TTF-THE-H” in the future, we hereby give you the opportunity to send us your comments, objections or proposals regarding the regulations for matching, allocation and communication procedures attached to this document. Please send your answer to mailbox transport@gasunie.de by 24 March 2022.

According to Article 19, 9. of the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/459 of 16 March 2017 (CAM NC) transmission system operators shall offer available capacities of interconnection points connecting the same adjacent entry-exit-systems at one virtual interconnection point to provide one single capacity service as defined in Article 3, 23. CAM NC.

Citation CAM NC Article 19, 9. sentence 1 for information:

“Where two or more interconnection points connect the same two adjacent entry-exit systems, the adjacent transmission system operators concerned shall offer the available capacities at the interconnection points at one virtual interconnection point.“

The contractual agreement of the transmission system operators on the virtual interconnection point "VIP DK-THE" also includes regulations on matching, allocation and communication procedures which replace the previous regulations on these topics from the interconnection agreement between Energinet, GUD and OGE. You can find said regulations here.

Taking into account that transmission system operators are obliged to invite network users to comment on these three subjects pursuant to Article 4, 2. of Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 (INT NC), GUD would like to give its network users the opportunity to also comment on these three topics of the planned agreement on the “VIP DK-THE”.

Citation INT NC Article 4, 2. for information:

“Before concluding or amending an interconnection agreement which contains rules referred to in Article 3(c), (d) and (e), transmission system operators shall invite network users to comment on the proposed text of those rules at least two months before the agreement is concluded or amended. The transmission system operators shall take the network users‘ comments into account when concluding or amending their interconnection agreement.“

We hereby give you the opportunity to send us your comments, objections or proposals regarding the regulations for matching, allocation and communication procedures attached to this document.

Please send your comments to transport@gasunie.de by 16.02.2022.

According to 19 (9) Article of the Commission Regulation (EU) 2017/459 of 16 March 2017 (CAM NC) transmission system operators shall offer available capacities of interconnection points connecting the same two adjacent entry-exit systems at one virtual interconnection point to provide one single capacity service as defined in Article 3 No. 23 CAM NC.

Citation Article 19 (9) sentence 1 CAM NC for information:

“Where two or more interconnection points connect the same two adjacent entry-exit systems, the adjacent transmission system operators concerned shall offer the available capacities at the interconnection points at one virtual interconnection point.“

By the contractual agreement between the transmission system operators regarding the virtual interconnection point “VIP TTF-THE-L“ also regulations will be agreed for the matching, allocation and communication process. You can find said regulations here.

Taking into account that transmission system operators have to invite network users to comment on these three topics according to Article 4 (2) of Commission Regulation (EU) 2015/703 of 30 April 2015 (INT NC), Gasunie Deutschland would like to give its network users the opportunity to provide their comments also to this designated VIP Agreement.

Citation Article 4 (2) INT NC for information:

“Before concluding or amending an interconnection agreement which contains rules referred to in Article 3(c), (d) and (e), transmission system operators shall invite network users to comment on the proposed text of those rules at least two months before the agreement is concluded or amended. The transmission system operators shall take the network users‘ comments into account when concluding or amending their interconnection agreement.“

If your company uses capacities at the interconnection points VIP-TTF-GASPOOL-L or Oude Statenzijl L, or plans to use capacities at VIP TTF-THE-L in the future, you will be given the opportunity to send us your remarks, objections and proposals on the rules for matching, allocation and communication procedures. Please send your answer to mailbox transport@gasunie.de by 13 September 2021.

Based on the market information dated 07.05.2021, the companies Fluxys TENP GmbH (Fluxys TENP), GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE), Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD), GRTgaz Deutschland GmbH, Gastransport Nord GmbH (GTG), ONTRAS Gastransport GmbH, Open Grid Europe GmbH (OGE) and Thyssengas GmbH (TG) provide the following information on the introduction dates for the new VIPs to be formed as a result of the market area merger:

Considering the high implementation effort caused by the market area merger on October 1st, 2021, it is not possible to implement all THE-VIPs at the same time. The progressive introduction of the VIPs to be formed is also based on their respective complexity.

Until the introduction of THE-VIPs the marketing of capacities at the existing NCG and GASPOOL VIPs and IPs will be temporarily continued. As soon as the new THE-VIPs are set up, the transport contracts already concluded at the NCG and GASPOOL VIPs and IPs will be transferred to the new THE-VIPs and the relevant VIP-TSOs, as described in the Supplementary Terms and Conditions of the transmission system operators (TSOs).

A consolidation of the VIPs on the border to the Czech Republic is currently not planned. The current VIPs (VIP Brandov-GASPOOL and VIP Waidhaus NCG) will therefore continue to exist beyond the market area merger and will be renamed as VIP Brandov and VIP Waidhaus as of October 1st, 2021.

Due to the market area merger of Netconnect Germany (NCG) and GASPOOL to the new market area Trading Hub Europe (THE) starting from 1st October 2021 there is an obligation at some borders to merge additional interconnection points (IP) as well as already existing VIPs into new THE-VIPs.

Today, we would like to inform you about the current status of the implementation of VIPs.

The contractual agreements between the transmission system operators regarding the virtual interconnection point „VIP-TTF-GASPOOL-H“ and „VIP-TTF-GASPOOL-L“ cover regulations concerning matching-, allocation- and communication processes. In accordance to Regulation (EU) 2015/703 (NC INT) we would like to give network users the opportunity to comment on these three topics.

Start of capacity marketing for VIPs GASPOOL-TTF

On April 1st 2020, GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE), Gastransport Nord GmbH (GTG), and Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD) will set up Virtual Interconnection Points (VIP) for gas transport between the GASPOOL and the TTF market area. This takes place in cooperation with the adjacent network operator Gasunie Transport Services B.V. (GTS).

For transport periods from 01. April 2020 onwards all available capacity of the previous IPs (see below) will be offered at the VIPs GASPOOL—TTF  

GUD, as the responsible VIP-TSO,  will offer the first capacities on PRISMA on 16 March 2020 in the monthly auction for the transport period April 2020. All interested shippers should ensure that they have completed the registration process with GUD in good time.

Details on marketing for the VIPs listed below can be found on PRISMA:

Capacity contracts concluded at the VIPs  GASPOOL-TTF must be nominated to GUD and will be billed by GUD. Capacity contracts existing at the IPs, which will run after 01. April 2020 (existing contracts), remain at the IPs and will continue to be nominated and settled with the respective TSO.

On April 1st 2020, GASCADE Gastransport GmbH (GASCADE), Gastransport Nord GmbH (GTG), and Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD) will set up Virtual Interconnection Points (VIP) for gas transport between the GASPOOL and the TTF market area. This takes place in cooperation with the adjacent network operator Gasunie Transport Services B.V.

For this purpose, two new network points will be uploaded to PRISMA:

• The new point VIP-TTF-GASPOOL-H comprises the available capacities of the interconnection points (IPs) Bunde from GASCADE and Oude Statenzijl H from GUD.
• The new network point VIP-TTF-GASPOOL-L comprises the available capacities of the IPs Oude Statenzijl from GTG and Oude Statenzijl L from GUD.
• For transport periods from 1 April 2020 onwards, all capacity contracts will only be concluded at these VIPs, starting with the monthly auction for firm capacity in March 2020 (presumably on March 16th 2020). Both VIPs are operated by GUD. Hence, GUD will offer all available capacity of the former IPs starting with the auctions mentioned above.
• Capacity contracts concluded on the above IPs, which are still valid after April 1st 2020 (existing contracts), remain on the IPs and will continue to be nominated and billed there. Transport contracts concluded at the VIPs, on the other hand, are nominated with and billed by GUD being the VIP TSO.
• All interested shippers should ensure that they have completed the registration process with GUD becoming the VIP TSO.

Article 19 Paragraph 9 of the Regulation (EU) 2017/459 (NC CAM) foresees the establishment of virtual interconnection points (VIP). The concerned German Transmission System Operators (TSOs) have informed market participants on 1 March 2018 and on 30 May 2018 on the intermediate status of implementation as well as on the discussions with the regulatory authorities on European and national level. Today, we would like to inform you about the current status of the implementation of VIPs (24 August 2018).

Furthermore, we would like to inform you about the VIP L implementation at the market area border between GASPOOL / NetConnect Germany (VIP L GASPOOL - NCG).

The concerned German Transmission System Operators (TSOs) have informed market participants on 1 March 2018 on the intermediate status of implementation as well as the discussions with the regulatory authorities on European and national level. Today, we would like to inform you about the current status of the implementation of VIPs (30 May 2018).

Today, Gasunie Deutschland Transport Services GmbH (GUD) would like to inform you about the VIP  implementation at the market area border between GASPOOL / NetConnect Germany (VIP L GASPOOL - NCG).

In connection with the VIP L GASPOOL - NCG implementation GUD publishes an amendment of the STC. This amendment will apply starting from 1 July 2018.

Article 19 Paragraph 9 of the Regulation (EU) 2017/459 (NC CAM) foresees the establishment of virtual interconnection points (VIP). The concerned German Transmission System Operators (TSOs) have jointly agreed on a possible model for the VIP-implementation.