Firm capacity for renewable gas and low-carbon gas to the distribution system
1. Distribution system operators shall ensure firm capacity for the access of the production facilities of renewable gas and low-carbon gas connected to their grid. To that end, distribution system operators shall in cooperation among themselves and with the transmission system operators, develop procedures and arrangements, including investments, to ensure reverse flow from the distribution network to the transmission network. Major investments in the natural gas transmission network resulting from the need for additional capacities in the distribution network shall be reflected in the ten-year network development plan in accordance with Article 55(2), point (a), of Directive (EU) 2024/1788.
2. Paragraph 1 shall be without prejudice to the possibility for distribution system operators to develop alternatives to reverse-flow investments, such as smart grid solutions or connection to other network operators. Firm capacity access may be limited to offering capacities subject to operational limitations, in order to ensure infrastructure safety and economic efficiency. The regulatory authority shall ensure that any limitations in firm capacity or operational limitations are introduced by distribution system operators on the basis of transparent and non-discriminatory procedures and do not create undue barriers to market entry. Where the production facility bears the costs related to ensuring firm capacity, no limitation shall apply.
Cooperation between distribution system operators and transmission system operators
Distribution system operators shall cooperate with other distribution system operators and transmission system operators to coordinate the maintenance, system development, new connections, decommissioning and the operation of the system to ensure system integrity, with a view to maximising capacity and minimising the use of fuel gas.
Transparency requirements concerning distribution system operators
Where distribution system operators are responsible for gas quality management in their networks, they shall make public detailed information regarding the quality of natural gas transported in their networks, which might affect network users, pursuant to Articles 16 and 17 of Regulation (EU) 2015/703.
European entity for distribution system operators
Distribution system operators operating a natural gas system shall and hydrogen distribution network operators operating a hydrogen network may cooperate at Union level through the EU DSO entity, in order to promote the completion and proper functioning of the internal market for natural gas, cooperate in the development of the hydrogen market and promote optimal management and a coordinated operation of distribution and transmission systems.
Registered members may participate in the EU DSO entity directly or be represented by a national association designated by a Member State or by a Union-level association.
The costs related to the activities of the EU DSO entity shall be borne by the distribution system operators and hydrogen distribution network operators that are registered members and shall be taken into account in the calculation of tariffs. Regulatory authorities shall approve costs provided that they are reasonable and proportionate and provide reasons where they are not approved.
Changes to the principal rules and procedures for the EU DSO entity
1. The principal rules and procedures for the EU DSO entity pursuant to Article 54 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 shall also apply to distribution system operators operating a natural gas system and hydrogen distribution network operators.
2. The Strategic Advisory Group referred to in Article 54(2), point (f), of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 shall also consist of representatives of associations representing European distribution system operators operating a natural gas system or European hydrogen distribution network operators.
3. By 5 August 2025, the EU DSO entity shall submit to the Commission and to ACER draft updated statutes, including a code of conduct, a list of registered members, draft updated rules of procedure, including rules of procedure on the consultation with the ENTSO for Electricity, the ENTSO for Gas and other stakeholders, and draft updated financing rules.
The draft updated rules of procedure of the EU DSO entity shall ensure fair and balanced representation of all participating distribution system operators, including those owning or operating natural gas systems, and of hydrogen distribution network operators.
4. Within four months of receipt of the documents submitted pursuant to paragraph 3, ACER shall provide the Commission with its opinion, after consulting organisations representing all stakeholders, in particular distribution system users, including customers.
5. Within three months of receipt of ACER’s opinion, the Commission shall issue an opinion on the documents submitted pursuant to paragraph 3, taking into account ACER’s opinion referred to in paragraph 4.
6. Within three months of receipt of the Commission’s positive opinion, the distribution system operators shall adopt and publish the EU DSO’s updated statutes, rules of procedure and financing rules.
7. The documents referred to in paragraph 3 shall be submitted to the Commission and to ACER where there are changes thereto or upon the reasoned request of either of them. The Commission and ACER may issue an opinion in accordance with the process laid down in paragraphs 3, 4 and 5.
Additional tasks of the EU DSO entity
1. The EU DSO entity shall exercise the tasks listed in Article 55(1), points (a) to (e), of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and undertake the activities listed in Article 55(2), points (c), (d) and (e), of that Regulation also as regards distribution systems for natural gas or hydrogen distribution networks.
2. In addition to the tasks listed in Article 55(1) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, the EU DSO entity shall participate in the development of network codes which are relevant to the operation and planning of distribution grids and the coordinated operation of the transmission networks and distribution networks pursuant to this Regulation and contribute to mitigating fugitive methane emissions from the natural gas system.
When participating in the development of new network codes pursuant to Article 71 of this Regulation, the EU DSO entity shall comply with the consultation requirements as laid down in Article 56 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943.
3. In addition to the activities listed in Article 55(2) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, the EU DSO entity shall:
(a)
cooperate with the ENTSO for Gas and the ENNOH on the monitoring of the implementation of the network codes and guidelines adopted pursuant to this Regulation which are relevant to the operation and planning of distribution grids for natural gas and hydrogen and the coordinated operation of the transmission networks and distribution networks and the hydrogen transmission networks and distribution networks;
(b)
cooperate with the ENTSO for Gas and the ENNOH and adopt best practices on the coordinated operation and planning of transmission and distribution systems and hydrogen transmission and distribution networks including issues such as the exchange of data between operators and the coordination of distributed energy resources;
(c)
work on identifying best practices for the implementation of the results of the assessments pursuant to Article 23(1b) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Article 25 of Directive (EU) 2023/1791 and for the cooperation between operators of electricity distribution systems, of natural gas distribution systems, of hydrogen distribution networks and of district heating and cooling systems including for the purpose of the assessment pursuant to Article 24(8) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001, including recommendations for the appropriate placement of electrolysers with a view to ensuring the use of waste heat in district heating network.
4. The EU DSO entity shall provide input to the ENTSO for Gas for its reporting on gas quality, with regard to the distribution systems where distribution system operators are responsible for gas quality management, as referred to in Article 26(3).
5. The EU DSO entity shall provide input to the ENNOH for the hydrogen quality monitoring report to be adopted pursuant to Article 59(1), point (j), of this Regulation with regard to the hydrogen distribution networks where hydrogen distribution network operators are responsible for hydrogen quality management pursuant to Article 50 of Directive (EU) 2024/1788.
Source: EUR-Lex (Publications Office of the EU), © European Union, reuse permitted under Commission Decision 2011/833/EU.
