Experiences with the GRI NW

1. Experiences with the GRI NW GRI NW Stakeholder Group meeting 24 October 2007 EnergieNed Federation of Energy Companies in the Netherlands Section Trade and Sales

2. Experiences GRI NW • a lot of work has been carried out • priority issues have covered the complete scope of the gas market in the end • at times process not transparent (e.g. parties involve, decision making) • although the process was focussed on pragmatic steps, discussions on market structure fundamentals were unavoidable but could not be solved within this framework

3. Lessons learned GRI NW • the initiative needs more focus: focus on one or two issues • more coordinated approach of stakeholders • more “clustering” of shippers opinions would have been useful • the harmonisation of the legal and regulatory framework in the region needs improvement • legal bottlenecks have been identified but are most difficult and most time-consuming to resolve

4. Way forward GRI NW • all parties should reconfirm objective of GRI (NW): create one single (NW regional) gas market • there is a need to continue this process • more focus: availability and allocation of cross-border transport capacity is the highest priority issue • goal is efficient, non discriminatory allocation • market based allocation (e.g. secondary market for transmission rights) • investment signals and criteria • harmonised regulatory framework for TSOs • increase cooperation • ensuring investments • transparency improvements • learn from the experience of the electricity regional initiative, keeping in mind the difference between the markets for electricity and gas • no interference with existing contracts