There will be high level conference regarding the investment of natural gas storage in provision of supply security
To familiarize with international practice and discuss an operation model of Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage that is suitable for Latvian market situation after opening of natural gas market, on 22 November JSC Conexus Baltic Grid arranges an international high-level conference “Investment of underground natural gas storage in solving the supply security issues”.
Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage (Inčukalns PGK) is a unique asset of Latvia and this is one of the most important resources in provision of energy safety and independence of Latvia and the whole region. Inčukalns UGS is only functioning storage in the Baltic States and it ensures the stability of regional gas supply. Thanks to the storage, stability of natural gas supplies and capacities to Latvian clients don’t depend on the demand in other countries because in winter season they receive natural gas completely from Inčukalns UGS. However, apart from the advantages of natural gas storage, maintenance of its infrastructure is full of challenge and the storage works in new market conditions for the second season. Zane Kotāne, Chairperson of the Board of JSC Conexus Baltic Grid – the unified natural gas transmission and storage operator in Latvia – informs:
“Over the last years, the natural gas market has changed significantly – there are new game rules that require not only additional investments from market players, but comprise also different business risks. After opening the natural gas market in April 2017, no sustainable solutions were anticipates for the provision of storage operation. Although the storage in Latvia is a regulated form of activity, no obligations to use the storage are determined in the country and its filling is left for the market. So, as in other countries, also we have to answer the question how the unique resource can work successfully further implementing its strategic functions?”
In accordance with the study implemented by Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), situation in the whole Europe is similar, but countries choose different ways how to create a sustainable operation of natural gas market and integrate natural gas storages in it. In the conference one can familiarize with the experience of France, Hungary and Poland, but the industry leaders and experts will discuss the operation model of Inčukalns Underground Gas Storage that is suitable for Latvian market situation.
Conference takes place on 22 November at 10 o’clock in the hotel Park Inn by Radisson (Krogus Street 1, Riga).
Representatives of mass media are invited to apply in advance by writing to Dace Baltābola, Head of Communications Unit of “Conexus Baltic Grid”: dace.baltabola@conexus.lv
Conference agenda:
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10.00 – 10.05 |
Opening of conference |
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10.05 – 10.20 |
Situation in Latvia after opening of market Zane Kotāne, Chairperson of the Board of JSC Conexus Baltic Grid |
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10.20 – 10.40 |
Measures for sustainable storage of gas in the market Perizat Ybrayeva, Deputy Secretary general, Gas Infrastructure Europe (GIE), Belgium |
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10.40 – 11.00 |
France – legal regulation Edith Hector, Head of superficial gas division, CRE, France |
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11.00 – 11.20 |
France – operator’s experience Nelly Nicoli, Head of strategy and sales unit, Storengy France |
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11.20 – 11.40 |
Hungary – legal regulation Edit Farkas, Head of gas supervision and price regulation, MEKH |
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11.40 – 12.00 |
Hungary – operator’s experience Annamária Fehér, CEO strategic advisor, MFGT |
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12.00 – 13.00 |
Lunch |
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13.00 – 13.25 |
Poland – legal regulation Wiesław Rokosz, Deputy assistant of gaseous fuel market, URE |
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13.25 – 14.25 |
Panel discussion |
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14.25 – 14.40 |
End of conference |