NMa is pleased with independent auction for natural-gas storage services

The Netherlands Competition Authority (NMa) is delighted with the announcement of Dutch natural-gas supplier GasTerra to start offering natural-gas storage services to the market through auctions, organized by power exchange APX-ENDEX. In January 2011, the NMa and GasTerra made arrangements to improve competition on the natural-gas market. Jaap de Keijzer, member of the Board of the NMa, explains: 'It is good to see GasTerra following up on the arrangements this swiftly. It gives us confidence that APX-ENDEX will organize the auction, independently of GasTerra.'

GasTerra, the largest supplier of natural gas in the Netherlands, has announced these measures to increase competition on the market for natural-gas storage services, following serious talks with the NMa. Mr. De Keijzer adds: 'For years, the NMa has noted that the natural-gas market still has room for improvement. More trade in natural gas usually leads to better market prices, which subsequently has its effects on consumer gas prices.'


The NMa is in favor of bringing about changes on the natural-gas market as quickly as possible. The new market model on the natural-gas market will come into operation on April 1, 2011. The introduction of new products and services that stimulate natural-gas trade helps the model.