Receiving and providing international assistance in gas crises (Solidarity in the gas sector)

In connection with ensuring the statutory obligations of the market operator in the area of receiving and providing international assistance in crisis situations in the gas sector pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EU) 2017/1938 of the European Parliament and of the Council, § 73b and § 73c of Act No. 458/2000 Coll., on the conditions of business and the exercise of state administration in the energy sectors and on amendments to certain acts (Energy Act), Regulation No. 344/2012 Coll., on the Gas Market Rules, as amended, Regulation No. 349/2015 Coll. and the Business Terms and Conditions of OTE, a.s., for the gas sector, the market operator publishes related documentation:

• Framework Contract for the Supply and Off-take of Gas for the Application of
  • Market measures in the Czech Republic
  • Non-market measures in the Czech Republic
• CDS Gas User Manual - see Chapter 13.8 Solidarity in the Gas sector
• XSD templates - technical details of the extension of the billing message and nomination scenarios for automatic communication purposes

The Gas Supply and Off-Take Framework Contract specifies the rights and obligations of gas market participants (balance responsible parties and the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade) set out in the legislation when receiving and providing international assistance in gas crisis situations.

Non-market measures:

The provisions of the Framework Agreement for the supply and off-take of Gas will be applied by the market operator in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of OTE, a.s. and the relevant Regulations, even in the event of the non-execution of this Agreement by the balance responsible parties, for the following cases of non-market measures in the Czech Republic:

• taking over of gas by a balance responsible party pursuant to § 73b(4) of the Energy Act (in accordance with § 8a of Regulation No. 344/2012 Coll. on Gas Emergency), if the Czech Republic accepts international assistance in gas emergency situations,
• the provision of gas by the balance responsible party pursuant to § 73c(7) of the Energy Act (in accordance with the procedure laid down in § 8b of Regulation No. 344/2012 Coll.. on Gas Emergency), if the Czech Republic accepts international assistance in gas emergency situations.

Market measures:

In order to be able to bid for the provision of gas under market measures in the Czech Republic if the Czech Republic is requested by a neighbouring EU Member State to provide international assistance in gas crisis situations, the balance responsible party must have concluded a Framework Contract for the supply and off-take of Gas in advance. Balance responsible parties interested in the possibility of bidding for the provision of gas under market measures in the Czech Republic are requested to contact the Contracts and Emission Allowances Department of OTE, a.s. if they are interested in concluding the above-mentioned contract. Further procedures regarding the conclusion of this contract will be agreed with the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade.

If you have any questions, please contact the HelpDesk of the Gas Balance Department of OTE, a.s. by email to plyn@ote-cr.cz.