Gas crisis preparedness
Ensuring a secure and reliable gas supply is our core task as a network operator. It is essential that we are informed at an early stage of any potential threat to the security of supply and that we establish communication with our partners.
The "Gas crisis preparedness" guidelines developed by BDEW/VKU/GEODE describe the procedural processes, associated information obligations and communication channels between the network operators. It thus fulfils the measures required under Sections 16 and 16a of the Energy Industry Act (EnWG).
30 March 2023 - Transmission system operators end crisis status as of 01.04.2023
At the end of the heating period, the German transmission system operators lift the crisis status in accordance with the Gas Crisis Preparedness Guideline.
Due to high storage levels and a continued good supply via pipelines and LNG, there is currently no longer an acute threat to the security and reliability of the gas supply system. This step is being taken in close consultation with the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) and the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA).
On 30 March 2023, Thyssengas, together with the other transmission system operators, informed downstream network operators and network connection customers of the cancellation of the previous measures as of 1 April 2023.
For downstream network operators: The regular notification of potentials (Form C) in the crisis portal is no longer required from 1 April 2023. Form B was sent out for this purpose with the notification of the cancellation of the previous measures. Recipients are requested to confirm receipt of Form B.
Irrespective of this, the alert level declared by the BMWK in accordance with the gas emergency plan currently remains in place. The background to this is that various measures and regulations at federal level are linked to the maintenance of the status.
The transmission system operators will continue to monitor the situation closely and, if the situation deteriorates, will again send out Form B from the Gas Crisis Preparedness Portal to inform the public of an imminent or existing congestion situation and the measures to be taken.
23 June 2022 - BMWK declares alert level of the gas emergency plan
The Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK), in the person of Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, today declared the alert level in the gas emergency plan, i.e. the second of three levels.
The gas supply in Germany is currently fully guaranteed, including for the transmission network operated by Thyssengas. The situation is being continuously monitored at national and European level by the transmission system operators (TSOs).
According to the BMWK, the reason for declaring the alert level is the reduction in gas supplies from Russia since 14 June 2022 and the continued high price level on the gas market. The BMWK assesses the current situation as a disruption to the gas supply, which is leading to a significant deterioration in the gas supply situation. However, the market is still in a position to cope with this disruption or the demand. The information from the BMWK can be found here: BMWK - Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection declares alert level of the gas emergency plan - security of supply still guaranteed
We would like to emphasise at this point: The gas supply in Germany is currently guaranteed without restriction. Accordingly, there is currently no need for our customers to take any action. In the event of a reassessment of the supply situation, we will contact our customers again.
Should the third crisis level (emergency level) be declared due to an acute gas shortage, the decision on shutdowns lies with the Federal Network Agency (BNetzA), not with the respective transmission system operator. In this case, the grid operators would be instructed by the BNetzA to shut down.
There are currently no officially defined prioritisations for industrial customers.
Against this background, we would like to ask you to address your arguments for special prioritisation directly to the Federal Network Agency:
Federal Network Agency Bonn
Crisis team of the Federal Network Agency
Postfach-627@bnetza.deTulpenfeld 4, 53113 Bonn
P.O. Box 80 01, 53105 Bonn
For your information: The BNetzA publishes a daily report on the gas supply situation in Germany on its website from Monday to Friday. You can find this report here.
We hope to be able to help you with this information and clarifications.
As soon as new information on the current supply situation is available, Thyssengas will inform you again.
Crisis portal
The crisis portal has been set up to ensure that all market participants can communicate securely and quickly in the event of a crisis. To create a user account, simply send your contact details to the contact person you know in the Market and Processes department.
Dispositions in the event of a crisis
Following the declaration of an emergency stage by the Federal Government, the Federal Network Agency, as the federal load distributor, is authorised to issue general or individual orders in order to secure the general gas supply in the event of a gas shortage. The addressees of the individual order are specifically contacted by the BNetzA in order to reduce their gas consumption. The general order is a pro rata reduction in the gas supply to all end consumers in a previously defined area, taking into account the information from the self-declaration. All end consumers with recording power measurement (RLM customers) may be affected, unless they are instructed directly by the federal load distributor by individual order.
In our role as an exit network operator, we are obliged to monitor compliance with the general ruling and report any infringements to the BNetzA. If a deviation is detected and reported to the BNetzA, we will also inform the RLM customers concerned. Consequences resulting from non-compliance are the responsibility of the BNetzA.
The following set of slides explains how Thyssengas deals with the general ruling.
The following link will take you to the general website of the Federal Network Agency with further information and documents.