Over the past few days, various articles have been published in the printed and electronic press, referring to an alleged lack of coordination that brought “the energy system at its limits”, to an effort to shift responsibility among all involved parties and to several other inaccurate statements, such as that “the gas system reached a marginal point”, that “we are close to declare a crisis at the natural gas system”, that approximately on past Wednesday and Thursday “the gas system was expected to run out of gas”, that “84.000 m3 out of the 95.000 m3 new tank’s storage capacity are available to be used only if the system declares a crisis” and many more.
As is evident, these articles created an inaccurate image for the natural gas market and simultaneously convey a negative message regarding its smooth and safe supply with natural gas. Above all, they fabricate an erroneous perception on our company.
That is why, we, as the Operator of the National Natural Gas System (NNGS), within the framework of our competencies which pertain to natural gas transmission in the Greek territory, and, do not include the commercial activity of gas supply wish to restore the truth as follows:
Specifically:
The National Natural Gas Transmission System (NNGTS) has sufficient technical capacity in the entry points for importing natural gas quantities into the Greek market, covering consumptions even higher than those observed in the past period, with a peak on January 8, 2019, when the daily consumption reached 298 GWh.
This consumption, which is higher than the maximum of 277 GWh observed on January 12, 2017, was served adequately and with no difficulties by DESFA.
From 2017 onwards, DESFA has contributed decisively to the security of energy supply in the Greek gas market. First of all, DESFA completed and commissioned the 3rd Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tank in Revithoussa, achieving to increase commercial storage capacity for LNG Users from 110.000 m3 to 205.055 m3 LNG (86% increase), before the beginning of the winter season and high consumption demand.
Secondly, it increases the LNG Terminal’s regasification capacity from 1.000 m3 to 1.400 m3 LNG (or by 40%) and upgrades the existing jetty to accommodate even larger vessels.
Furthermore, it has already signed contracts with electricity producers for alternative fuel storage and availability, according to the provisions of the Decision No. 344/2014 by the Regulatory Authority of Energy (RAE).
Moreover, in collaboration with RAE, it has re-established the balancing framework of the NNGS, resulting in balancing supply tariffs that reflect the system’s requirements, in order to meet its demands.
Finally, within the framework of the Preventive Action Plan issued by RAE, DESFA applies all provisions regarding mandatory LNG reserves for the electricity producers.
Thus, DESFA has fully ensured efficient operation of the NNGS, as required for the smooth and unhindered supply of the Greek natural gas market both in regards with a) the increase of available gas quantities through pipeline transmission, as well as b) with the arrival of LNG cargos to the Revithoussa LNG Terminal. Our infrastructures are available to NNGS Users, in order with proper planning and accurate estimations, to be able to meet gas consumers’ demands in the most effective way.
DESFA is always ready to handle consistently and reliably the requirements of the domestic gas market, fulfilling all the required standards laid down by the current legal framework to secure the country’s energy supply.