A new online platform will make the natural gas transmission through the Czech Republic and Germany easier
Prague - Leipzig, 1.8.2007
Cooperation between RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., and ONTRAS – VNG Gastransport GmbH
The transmission of natural gas between the Czech Republic and Germany is much easier now. The EU vision of an internal natural gas market has come closer to its accomplishment. Two European transmission system operators, Czech RWE Transgas Net and German ONTRAS – VNG Gastransport GmbH, started to provide access to their gas transmission system. Natural gas traders and other shippers can use one common platform for transmission from the Czech-Slovak border to Steinitz in Germany.
“Customers can ship natural gas to western Europe via the routes Lanžhot-Steinitz and Waidhaus-Steinitz in both directions without worrying about the cross-border interconnection point in Hora Svaté Kateřiny. This will substantially simplify the whole process. Furthermore, this new cooperation was also appreciated by the European Energy Regulators (ERGEG) on its latest meeting with market participants on July 6th in Krakow, Poland.” said Dr. Klaus Homann, the Managing Director and CEO of RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o. “We are considering a further extension of the partnership activities. We leave the door open also for other operators of interconnected transmission systems. It is entirely their decision to join our gas transmission project,” said Mr. Uwe Ringel, Managing Director of ONTRAS - VNG Gastransport GmbH.
Potential customers can find the online platform called GATRAC (Gas Transport Cooperation) together with all information regarding the offered harmonized products and related services provided by both companies at www.gatrac.com. The joint project facilitates the access to data of both transmission system operators, promoting a higher degree of transparency. The platform contains information regarding available capacity, fees and enables customers to request capacity for entire cross-border transit routes.
ONTRAS – VNG Gastransport GmbH
Stefanie Mrázek
Grid Marketing
T +49 341 443 – 2153
ONTRAS – VNG Gastransport GmbH is a supra-regional gas transport logistics company operating a network spanning over 7,000 kilometres of high-pressure pipelines which forms part of the European gas grid and providing all services related to gas transportation. As a market area-wide network operator in the market area of ONTRAS, which includes 153 network operators and spans the five states in the eastern part of Germany, the company also performs key functions concerning the smooth handling of gas transportation based on the cooperation agreement for this market area.
RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o.
Mgr. Jitka Kadavá,
PR
T 267 973 260
RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., is part of the multinational utility group RWE. The company was established on 1 January 2006 when natural gas transmission and trade were unbundled pursuant to the Czech Energy Act. RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., is an independent company responsible for safe and reliable domestic transmission of natural gas and natural gas transit to other countries.
Natural gas transmitted by RWE Transgas Net, s.r.o., in the Czech Republic uses a pipeline system of 3,642 km. Natural gas is the most environmentally friendly of all non-renewable energy sources. Unlike solid fuels, natural gas burns cleanly, i.e. without ash and environmentally hazardous substances.