In December 2020, we received notification from the Federal Network Agency granting us exemption from network access and tariff regulation. This applied to the requested annual throughput capacity of 8 billion cubic metres of gas in the long term from the date of commercial commissioning of the terminal.
Under European and German law, LNG terminals are subject to tariff and network access regulation. This means that LNG terminal operators are not free to set their own tariffs or access rules and services. The Federal Network Agency is the independent German regulatory authority that sets tariffs and network access rules.
An exemption from regulation is possible for LNG facilities if, among other things, the investment improves competition in gas supply and security of supply.
In December 2022, we applied for a renewed exemption to 10 billion m³/a, which was approved in June 2023. The expansion of terminal capacities makes sense given the current market conditions, the demand for capacity at the terminal and recent geopolitical developments.