Conexus organizes an auction about the storage of natural gas in case of energy crisis and national threats

The unified natural gas and transmission operator Conexus Baltic Grid JSC (Conexus) arranges an auction regarding the storage of active natural gas volume and availability thereof in Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (Inčukalns UGS) during the season 2020/2021 which is required to ensure the Latvian natural gas supply during an energy crisis or in case of national threats.

In accordance with Cabinet Regulations “Procedure for supply of energy users and fuel selling in case of an announced energy crisis and national threats”, Conexus must ensure that 2 845 000 megawatt hours (MWh) of active natural gas is stored in Inčukalns UGS from the beginning of removal season to 1 March 2021.

Zane Kotāne, Chairperson of Board of "Conexus Baltic Grid" JSC: “The auction regarding the storage of active natural gas volume and availability thereof is arranged already for the third year. This is a tool how to guarantee the energy safety of Latvia, prescribing it for provision of natural gas supply of Latvia, in case an energy crisis in announced in the country. Considering the large interest of auction participants and the warm winter of this season, in the result of which the system users perhaps have encountered natural gas surplus, we expect that also this year it remains constantly high.”

The auction is arranged as negotiations procedure, not publishing an invitation to participate. The auction takes place to 15 April and all current natural gas system or storage users can submit their tenders.

Considering the extraordinary situation in the country, the presentation and opening of tenders is arranged also electronically, complying with all required security and confidentiality provisions.

Information on auction provisions and documents to be presented in available here.