GRTgaz is set to invest almost €100 million to build a compressor station (3 X 12 MW) at Chazelles (Charentes) in order to develop interconnection capacity between France and Spain. This investment, which reinforces security of supply for both countries, has received the backing of the European Union under the European Recovery Plan.
From April 1, 2013, the operation of the new Chazelles compressor station will have a direct impact on the capacity at the interconnection with the TIGF transmission system in the South West:
- 255 GWh per day from South to North (220% greater than current capacity);
- 375 GWh per day from North to South (15% greater than current capacity).
This investment is a response to the needs expressed by natural gas suppliers in September 2009 in the consultation (France Spain Open Season) conducted jointly with TIGF, Enagas and Naturgas Energia Transporte, under the supervision of the French (CRE) and Spanish (CNE) regulatory authorities. The results confirmed market demand for more capacity, with market players committing to reservations of longterm capacity.
This new compressor station is a first step in the reinforcement of the interconnections between France and Spain. In 2010, there will be a further market consultation to confirm the need for capacity in 2015, firstly on the link between GRTgaz’s North and South zones, and secondly on the interface between France and Spain.
In 2009, GRTgaz invested €658 million in its transmission system, more than 40% of which went into the development of new capacity.
Press contact :
Christophe FEUILLET
tel : +33 (1)1 47 54 23 68
christophe.feuillet@grtgaz.com
