New rules on security of gas supply

Briefing 10-11-2017

In February 2016, the European Commission proposed a new regulation on security of gas supply in order to develop a stronger collective response to future supply risks. Major innovations in the Commission proposal include a solidarity principle that prioritises households and essential social services during an emergency situation; mandatory regional preventive action and emergency plans based on new templates; fewer exemptions on bidirectional capacity, in order to facilitate reverse gas flows; an increase in the scope of contractual information relating to security of supply that is provided to the Commission and national authorities; and further involvement of the contracting parties of the Energy Community in security of gas supply measures. The ITRE Committee approved its report in October 2016, the Council adopted a general approach in December 2016. Trilogue negotiations began in February 2017 and agreement was reached in April 2017. The agreed text was formally endorsed by the Parliament in September and by the Council in October 2017), and entered into force on 1 November 2017. This updates an earlier edition, of June 2017: PE 607.271.