FantasticSearch

1. Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, applied by the transmission system operators and approved by the regulatory authorities pursuant to Article 78(7) of Directive (EU) 2024/1788, as well as tariffs published pursuant to Article 31(1) of that Directive, shall be transparent, take into account the need for system integrity and its improvement and reflect the actual costs incurred, insofar as such costs correspond to those of an efficient and structurally comparable network operator and are transparent, whilst including an appropriate return on investments. Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, shall be applied in a non-discriminatory manner. Tariffs may also be determined through market-based arrangements, such as auctions, provided that such arrangements and the revenue arising therefrom are approved by the regulatory authority. Tariffs, or the methodologies used to calculate them, shall facilitate efficient natural gas trade and competition, while at the same time avoiding cross-subsidies between network users and providing incentives for investment and maintaining or creating interoperability for transmission networks. Tariffs for network users shall be non-discriminatory and shall be set separately for every entry point into or exit point out of the transmission system. Cost-allocation mechanisms and rate setting methodology regarding entry points and exit points shall be approved by the regulatory authorities. Regulatory authorities shall ensure that network tariffs shall not be calculated on the basis of contract paths.

2. Tariffs for network access shall neither restrict market liquidity nor distort trade across borders of different transmission systems. Where, notwithstanding Article 78(7) of Directive (EU) 2024/1788, differences in tariff structures would hamper trade across transmission systems, transmission system operators shall, in close cooperation with the relevant national authorities, actively pursue convergence of tariff structures and charging principles.

3. Until 31 December 2025, the regulatory authority may apply a discount of up to 100 % to capacity-based transmission and distribution tariffs at entry points from, and exit points to, underground natural gas storage facilities and at entry points from LNG facilities, unless and to the extent that such a storage facility which is connected to more than one transmission or distribution network is used to compete with an interconnection point. From 1 January 2026, the regulatory authority may apply a discount of up to 100 % to capacity-based transmission and distribution tariffs at entry points from, and exit points to, underground natural gas storage facilities and at entry points from LNG facilities for the purpose of increasing security of supply. The regulatory authority shall re-examine that tariff discount and its contribution to the security of supply during every regulatory period, in the framework of the periodic consultation carried out pursuant to the network code adopted pursuant to Article 71(2), first subparagraph, point (d).

4. Regulatory authorities may merge adjacent entry-exit systems with a view to enabling full or partial regional integration where tariffs may be abolished at the interconnection points between the entry-exit systems concerned. Following the public consultations conducted by the regulatory authorities or by the transmission system operators, the regulatory authorities may approve a common tariff and an effective compensation mechanism between transmission system operators for the redistribution of costs arising from the abolition of interconnection points.

5. Member States with more than one interconnected entry-exit system, or more than one network operator within one entry-exit system, may implement a uniform network tariff with the aim of creating a level playing field for network users, provided that a network plan has been approved and a compensation mechanism between the network operators is implemented.