Download the press file (PDF, 321 Ko)

Download the presentation - in French (PDF, 4.7 Mo)

Download the press release (PDF, 83 Ko)

In the last 18 months, GRTgaz, operator of Europe's longest natural gas transmission system (31,717 km), has made every effort to promote the opening up of the natural gas market in France by developing its services and the way it works with the market . In combination with its investment programmes, the services offered by GRTgaz help to enhance system fluidity, to optimise the use of existing capacity and to create a more dynamic wholesale market for natural gas in France.

As of today, 44 shippers operate on the wholesale market in France (as compared with 26 at the end of 2006) and 120 bn kWh (40,000 transactions) were traded on the gas title transfer points (PEGs) in 2007, a marked increase on 2006 levels. These figures clearly demonstrate the new openness of the French natural gas market and its role as a crossroads for gas supplies from the world's different production zones. In addition, gas-fired (combined cycle cogeneration) power station projects represent a real source of growth for the use of natural gas in France from 2009 onwards.

In 2007, GRTgaz added significantly to its offering with the introduction of new services:

- a balancing platform which is fostering the emergence of a reference price for the natural gas wholesale market in France;
- unique in Europe, a mechanism for redistributing so-called "releasable" multiannual capacity, which facilitates access to the market for new entrants;
- the launch of "open seasons" to assess the need for new long-term capacity;
- the harmonisation of rules at interfaces with other infrastructure operators.

The option now open to industrial customers to obtain supplies on the wholesale market from several suppliers simultaneously, will enable these users to take advantage of increased competition. This measure should also increase dynamism (volumes, number of market players) on these PEGs, to the benefit of all consumers. In the coming months, given the rapid rise in the number of combined-cycle cogeneration plants (CCGTs) under planning, GRTgaz expects an increase in the rate of requests for connections and design projects, and will need to anticipate the impact of this change on its management of the natural gas transmission system. In addition, in the wholesale market, competition on the Southern zone can be expected to grow from 2009, since 21 shippers now have capacity on the North-South link. 

GRTgaz is determined to continue its efforts to foster the development of the natural gas market in France in a spirit of transparency and consultation.

Press contact

Christophe FEUILLET

CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS & EXTERNAL RELATIONS
tel : +33 (0)1 47 54 23 68