Press releases
Jul 28, 2008
OPAL NEL TRANSPORT GmbH applies for exemption from regulation
Project company plans Nord Stream pipeline links
Kassel. On Friday, 25 July 2008, OPAL NEL TRANSPORT GmbH submitted an application to the Federal Network Agency for exemption from regulation for the OPAL and the NEL, the two onshore pipeline links for the Nord Stream pipeline, in accordance with Section 28a of the Energy Management Act (EnWG). Previously WINGAS TRANSPORT GmbH & Co. KG had withdrawn its application to this effect from March 2007 due to regulatory and ownership unbundling considerations.
German and European energy legislation has made provisions for granting exemptions from regulation for new, larger infrastructure projects, partly to minimize the particular risks associated with such projects. The aim of the application submitted is to ensure that long-term and stable conditions are in place for realizing this key project, which is unparalleled in Europe.
Europe is increasingly dependent on natural gas imports for securing its energy supply. The Nord Stream natural gas pipeline through the Baltic Sea is set to make a major contribution to transporting the natural gas to Europe in future. The two pipeline links will pick up the gas in Lubmin near Greifswald where the Nord Stream pipeline comes on shore: the OPAL (Ostsee-Pipeline-Anbindungs-Leitung – Baltic Sea Pipeline Link) will then transport the gas 470 kilometers south to Olbernhau on the German–Czech border, and the 440 kilometer-long NEL (Norddeutsche Erdgas-Leitung – Northern German Gas Link) will run to Rehden in Lower Saxony. The project company OPAL NEL TRANSPORT is taking on the tasks of network operator for both these pipelines.
OPAL NEL TRANSPORT GmbH will perform the tasks of network operator for the OPAL and the NEL. It is part of the WINGAS Group, which, in addition to natural gas supplier WINGAS, includes WINGAS TRANSPORT. WINGAS TRANSPORT operates a gas pipeline network which is more than 2,000 km long and covers the whole of Germany. It is planned that the two new pipelines of OPAL NEL TRANSPORT will be connected to the WINGAS TRANSPORT gas pipeline network.
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