gasregelgeving

Gasregelgeving refers to the legal framework that governs the extraction, transmission, distribution, storage, import, export, and sale of natural gas, as well as the operation of gas markets. It covers exploration and production, pipeline networks, storage facilities, gas trading, and consumer protection, with the aim of ensuring safety, security of supply, fair competition, and environmental compliance.

European framework and key instruments: The European Union supports a liberalized internal gas market through measures that promote competition and market transparency, including rules on access to gas transmission networks, unbundling of system operators, and independent regulation. Regulatory oversight involves national authorities and European bodies such as ACER (Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators). Market operation is guided by network codes and EU regulations on capacity allocation, balancing, interoperability, and transparency. Security of gas supply is addressed by specific regulations and cross-border cooperation to manage emergencies and ensure continuity of supply.

National level in the Netherlands: The Dutch gas market is regulated by the Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM), which licenses operators, approves tariffs, monitors competition, and protects consumers. The transmission network operator in the Netherlands is Gasunie Transport Services (GTS), which runs the high-pressure gas grid and manages cross-border connections. Market participants must comply with network codes and publish tariffs and capacity information to ensure non-discriminatory access, i.e., third party access. The market encompasses wholesale trading, retail supply, and storage operations, with regulators overseeing fair access, safety, and compliance.

Historical and forward-looking context: Dutch gas regulation has evolved from strong state involvement in gas production and field management toward liberalized markets with clear access rights and market-based pricing. Gasregelgeving continues to adapt to energy transition goals, storage optimization, and evolving security of supply, balancing reliability with affordability and environmental considerations.