Nord Stream 2 and Russian gas

There are a lot of market rumours in this edition! I know, dear readers, that you love them and read them first, but there needn‘t always be so many at once. Among the rumours is, again, “marco”, the project of the market area merger. I hope that what you read as a rumour is already a fact when you hold this edition in your hands. A few remarks on the topics of “marco” and transparency: I personally think it is a pity how reluctant the TSOs communicate about marco. I know that many market participants have a similar view. There are not only rumours about this in this edition. I have discussed it with a lot of people close to the TSOs and informally many of them also see the need for more communication. But on the other hand, the discussions between the TSOs are hefty and controversial, which is understandable.

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Framework conditions

Connection of end users to L-gas networks

The current German government is not following a very active path in climate and energy policy (see also chapter 6 on market rumours). That is also true for the “100 Days Decree”. The idea was to gather all things that should be changed fast in an omnibus bill (where changes in several laws are stipulated) and launch the parliamentary process quickly. But the German government is struggling with the further extension of renewable energies (the according regulation should have been adjusted with the decree), and therefore the decree is delayed and will most likely mutate into a “200 Days Decree”. This means that a fast change of the Energy Law which makes it more difficult to connect end customers to L-gas networks will not happen quickly. This was also a part of the 100 Days Decree (ener|gate Gasmarkt 06/18). From a legal perspective, the new rules for the approval of the cost for network extensions are more crucial than the hurdles for the network connection. As a reminder: The amended Section 11 of the Energy Economy Act states that this cost should no longer be approved if the network extension is made because end users are connected to the L-gas network, although the operator was not obliged to connect them. This could, according to the comment of a lawyer specialised on energy, have severe consequences for distribution network operators which have recently converted to Hgas and can no longer invest in their network.

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Personnel

The Luxembourg-based Enveco-Group (Enovos, Creos) will reshuffle its boards in September. This also has consequences for Germany. Jean Lucius, the CEO of the holding company, is retiring. His successor is Claude Seywert. Mr Seywert is already a member of the Group’s executive board as managing director of the transportation company of the Group Creos Luxembourg and also the German subsidiary Creos Netzgesellschaft. At the German subsidiary, Jens Apelt remains the sole managing director. The new managing director of Creos Luxembourg is Marc Reiffers, currently managing director of Enovos Luxembourg. Reiffers will be replaced by Erik von Scholz, who is in charge of renewable energies in the Enceco board. Mr von Scholz was until February 2016 CEO of GdF Suez Energie Deutschland (now Engie Deutschland (ener|gate Gasmarkt 03/16). At GdF Suez, Anke Langner was member the executive board during Mr von Scholz‘s time as CEO. Mrs Langner left the company almost at the same time as Mr von Scholz and she is now managing director of Enovos Deutschland. Enovos Luxembourg is the main Enovos Deutschland shareholder with 89 per cent. Encevo has the emaining eleven per cent. Mr von Scholz and Mrs Langner will most likely work together directly again. At least Mr von Scholz’s predecessor Mr Reiffers was a member of the Enovos Deutschland governing board.

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