Economic Affairs Ministry transmits supply security analysis in Nord Stream 2 certification procedure to Bundesnetzagentur

The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has completed the supply security analysis in the context of the Nord Stream 2 certification procedure and transmitted it to the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency) today.

The analysis is part of the certification procedure carried out by the Bundesnetzagentur. It is based on section 4b (2) and (3) of the Energy Industry Act. Such an analysis is required in accordance with the Energy Industry Act in case of certifications of transport system operators from third countries, i.e. from non-EU states.

In its analysis, the Economic Affairs Ministry comes to the conclusion that the issuing of the certification does not endanger the security of gas supply in the Federal Republic of Germany and the European Union.

The supply security analysis by the Economic Affairs Ministry was preceded by consultations with neighbouring EU Member States, namely Austria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Slovakia. The outcome of the consultations has been taken into account.

The Bundesnetzagentur will now continue the certification procedure and examine whether all the other statutory regulatory requirements are met. The independent nature of the network operation in particular is not subject to the Economic Affairs Ministry’s supply security analysis. This aspect will be examined by the Bundesnetzagentur in the context of the certification procedure.

Pursuant to the Energy Industry Act, the total duration of the procedure shall not exceed four months from the receipt of all the documents. The Bundesnetzagentur has already confirmed that the period for the procedure begins on 8 September 2021. The Bundesnetzagentur’s proposal for a decision is to be submitted to the European Commission for comments.