Better prices for consumers

The consumption of almost 20 billion cubic metres a year and over 100 network users operating in the BeLux area, ensure enough competition and liquidity on the new integrated market and ZTP. Furthermore, the BeLux market's strong links with its neighbouring gas markets (the UK, France, Germany and Netherlands) will reduce the risk of price isolation. Supply means for network users operating in Luxembourg are simplified by having direct access to ZTP and the LNG and storage facilities in Belgium. The industrial consumers and electricity generators operating in the two countries are also able to optimise their supply portfolio.

Removal of the interconnection point between Belgium and Luxembourg and trading of a conditioned capacity product at Remich

With the removal of the Bras/Pétange interconnection point from the commercial offer, grid users will no longer have to reserve capacity at that point to transmit gas between Belgium and Luxembourg. Meanwhile, the interconnection point at Remich is dedicated to the trading and operation of a conditioned capacity product.

Enhanced security of supply for Luxembourg and offering of a conditioned capacity product between THE and ZTP from the Remich interconnection point

Luxembourg will enjoy enhanced security of supply thanks to a two-pronged strategy:
  • The physical capacity available for flows from Belgium to Luxembourg will rise in the integrated market area, thanks to a higher level of pressure being provided by Fluxys Belgium at the interconnection point between the two countries.
  • Network users will have the possibility to subscribe to a conditioned capacity product, with THE being connected to ZTP via the interconnection point at Remich. On days when Luxembourg experiences high levels of consumption, the product offered will be subject to nomination obligations to guarantee the flows needed for the security of supply of Luxembourg customers.

Features of the conditioned capacity product

The main features of the capacity product as it stands at the moment are as follows:
  • The conditioned capacity product is a product for entry to the BeLux area via the Remich interconnection point which will be offered to the market, in the form of quarterly products available.
  • Network users do not need to subscribe to capacity for the Remich interconnection point at the German side. Creos Luxembourg will subscribe to and operate this capacity on behalf of network users who subscribed to the conditioned capacity product, making it a bundled THE/ZTP product.
  • Use of the conditioned capacity product is subject to nomination obligations and restrictions depending on consumption in Luxembourg. The obligations and restrictions applying to the use of the product will be published before the start of the auctions.