ACM sets new tariffs for the transmission of natural gas for 2023

The Netherlands Authority for Consumers and Markets (ACM) has set the transmission tariffs of the Dutch transmission system operator for natural gas, Gasunie Transport Services (GTS), for 2023. These tariffs will increase, on average, by 19 percent in 2022. The increase in the Dutch transmission tariffs will have little effect on consumers’ energy bills. Since the costs for natural-gas transmission represent only a small part of the total energy bill, consumers are expected to see their energy bills increase by less than 1%.

System operators enjoy a monopoly on the transmission and distribution of natural gas and electricity. By setting the tariffs for system operators annually, ACM ensures that the transmission tariffs are not higher than necessary. At the same time, it ensures that system operators earn market-based returns on their investments. Through its regulation, ACM thus helps realize an affordable, secure, and sustainable supply of energy.

In order to determine the transmission tariffs, ACM first sets the total allowed revenues of GTS. Due to high inflation rates and high energy prices, the total allowed revenues increase by approximately 6%. These allowed revenues are subsequently spread over the forecasted transmission capacity. The tariffs are calculated by dividing the allowed revenues by the forecasted contracted capacity. As less natural gas is exported, and because natural-gas consumption in the Netherlands is not on the rise, GTS expects to sell substantially less transmission capacity in 2023 than in 2022. The allowed revenues will thus be spread over less transmission capacity. That is why the tariffs will rise, on average, by 19%.

See also

30-05-2022 Tariff decision GTS 2023 (in Dutch)