The various organisations on the Swedish gas market are of the opinion that the transfer of system balance responsibility from Svenska Kraftnät to Swedegas has been successful. The Energy Markets Inspectorate is satisfied with how Swedegas is discharging its remit and states in its report that the company is playing an active part in developing the market.
Swedegas took over the role of system balance administrator for the West Sweden natural gas system from Svenska Kraftnät in June 2013. At the request of the government, the Energy Markets Inspectorate, Ei, has evaluated the transfer and examined its impact on the market.
The report states that the various market organisations feel that the transfer was well planned and that the takeover by Swedegas was very professional. Ei also states that Swedegas has the requisite expertise and commitment and it would appear to be discharging its remit as system balance administrator without any shortcomings or inadequacies. Furthermore, it reports that Swedegas has assumed a more active role in developing the market than was the case before Swedegas took over.
We have attempted to cover all parties that have contact with Swedegas. This includes gas suppliers with balance responsibility, gas network operators, major end-users, the Danish transmission system operator Energinet.dk, Svenska Kraftnät and industry organisations," said Kaj Forsberg, senior market analyst at Ei.
In conclusion, Ei is of the opinion that the transfer of system balance responsibility and the ongoing balancing process have proved to be successful. Consequently, Ei does not see any need to supplement the current rules and regulations.
The role of system balance administrator means that Swedegas handles the operation and maintenance of the system and ensures that a continuous balance is maintained between offtake and supply.
Read the report here (in Swedish only) on the Ei website.
Swedegas
Swedegas is an infrastructure company that invests in smart energy systems. The company owns the gas transmission grid, which extends from Dragör in Denmark to Stenungsund in Sweden. Each year, Swedegas transports energy equivalent to 15 TWh to distributors and directly connected customers. The gas network supplies gas to 33 municipal areas as well as companies, combined heat and power plants and vehicle fuelling stations. Swedegas is currently investing in the development of an infrastructure for biogas and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
For further information, please contact Saila Horttanainen, Vice President Corporate Communications, Swedegas, +46 70 622 76 06.