DTe Holds Consultation on Quality Regulation of the Gas Networks

The Office for Energy Regulation (DTe) today published an information and consultation document on quality regulation of the Dutch gas distribution networks during the second regulatory period from 1 January 2005 onwards. As in the case of the managers of the electricity grids, DTe will not only assess regional gas network managers on the basis of the efficiency of their operations, but also on the quality of their networks.

In the method proposed by DTe, a gas distribution network will be certified with regard to its safety and security of transmission. Consumers can be confronted with quality problems in both respects, for instance if a gas leak occurs. To guarantee the quality of the network, network companies will be obliged to obtain a certificate for which performance in relation to a number indicators determined beforehand will be decisive. These indicators reflect the quality of the network. Examples of these are the number of leaks and their duration after notification that gas has been detected, the number of leaks that the network manager encounters during leakage inspections, the number of disruptions to the flow of gas and the number of outages.

DTe proposes basing the certification method on a so-called quality management standard, such as the ISO standard. This will allow a certifying institution to supervise the business processes. DTe will publish background information annually, in particular information relating to the performance of the network managers relative to the indicators. This will enable independent organisations to monitor network managers with regard to the quality of their networks and the continuous improvement of their networks in the same way and in public.

DTe will use the responses to the information and consultation document to take decisions and make recommendations to the Minister of Economic Affairs with regard to the regulation of the gas network managers during the second regulatory period. The gas network managers and other interested parties may respond in writing before 27 May 2003 in the manner prescribed by DTe.