Electricity and gas transmission system operators (TSOs) as well as operators of storage or LNG facilities are required to grant energy companies non-discriminatory access to their infrastructure. They must offer the same service to different users under identical contractual conditions.
In certain circumstances however, major new infrastructure may be exempt from so-called third party access rules. For example, they may be exempt for particularly risky investments such as cross-border gas pipelines or LNG terminals which could not be implemented if the usual rules are applied.
Exemption criteria for gas
The following criteria apply for gas infrastructure exemptions
- the investment must improve security of supply and boost competition in the gas market
- the investment could not go ahead without the exemption due to the level of risk
- the infrastructure must be owned by a legally separate firm from the TSO in whose system it will operate
- users of the infrastructure must pay for access
- the exemption does not harm the functioning of the EU's internal gas market or the transmission system to which the infrastructure is linked.
Exemption criteria for electricity
The following criteria apply for electricity infrastructure exemptions
- the investment must enhance competition in the electricity supply
- the investment could not be taken without the exemption due to the level of risk
- the infrastructure must be owned by a legally separate firm from the TSO in whose system it will operate
- users of the infrastructure must pay for access
- investment for the project cannot be made from capital gained through income from transmission systems to which it will be linked
- the exemption does not harm the functioning of the EU's internal gas market or the transmission system to which the infrastructure is linked.
Exemption decisions
Pending exemptions for new infrastructures for electricity under article 63 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943
-
Exemptions for new electricity interconnectors
- 25/04/2023: Somplago-Wuermlach Interconnector (AT, IT) – C(2023) 2822
Decision: English version – German version – Italian version - 06/05/2021: Resia Interconnector (IT, AT) – C(2021) 3374
Decision: English version – Italian version – German version - 11/09/2020: Piemonte Savoia Interconnector (IT, FR) – C(2020) 6325
Decision: English version – Italian version – French version - 9/12/2016: Piemonte Savoia Interconnector (IT, FR) – C(2016) 8592
Decision: English version – Italian version – French version - 17/12/2014 and 26/03/2015: SI-IT Interconnectors (SI, IT) – C(2014) 9904 and C(2015) 2136
Decision: English version – Slovenian version – Italian version Corrigendum: English version – Slovenian version – Italian version - 28/07/2014: ElecLink (FR-UK) C(2014)5475
Decision: English version – French version - 26/10/2010 and 14/1/2011: Arnoldstein/Tarvisio (AT/IT) – SG D(2010)16980 and Ares (2011) 42548
Decision: German version – Italian version - 19/12/2008: East-West Cable (UK-IE) – C (2008) 8851 and SG-Greffe (2008) 208583
Decision: English version – English version - 18/10/2007: BritNED (UK/NL) – CAB D(2007) 1258
Decision: English version - 27/4/2005: EstLink (FI/EST) – TREN D(2005)108708
Decision: English version
Prolongation of validity of existing exemptions
- 4 March 2026 and 13 March 2026: Prolongation of exemption of the two Interconnectors (Vrtojba-Redipuglia and Dekani-Zaule) between Slovenia and Italy from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) 2019/943 and Directive (EU) 2019/944 pursuant to Article 63 of Regulation (EU) 2019/943. Comments possible until 9 April 2026, 24.00 (CEST).
- 28/11/2025: Somplago-Wuermlach Interconnector (AT, IT) – C(2025) 8308
Decision: English version - 20/12/2022: SI-IT Interconnectors (SI, IT) – C(2022) 9691
Decision: English version - 19/01/2022: Piemonte Savoia Interconnector (IT, FR) – C(2022) 389
Decision: English version – Italian version – French version - 23/06/2021: ElecLink (FR) C(2021) 4746
Decision: English version – French version - 28/01/2021: SI-IT Interconnectors (SI, IT) – C(2021) 557
Decision: English version – Slovenian version – Italian version - 17/12/2020: ElecLink (FR-UK) C(2020) 9474
Decision: English version – French version - 28/07/2020: ElecLink (FR-UK) C(2020) 5293
Decision: English version – French version - 28/01/2019: SI-IT Interconnectors (SI, IT) – C(2019) 698
Decision: English version – Slovenian version – Italian version - 16/02/2017: SI-IT Interconnectors (SI, IT) – C(2017) 1209
Decision: English version – Slovenian version – Italian version - 10/08/2016: ElecLink (FR-UK) prolongation C(2016)5285
Decision: English version – French version
Pipelines
25/07/2018: Interconnector Greece – Bulgaria IGB – C(2018) 5058
Decision: English version
28/10/2016: OPAL (DE/CZ) – C (2016) 6950
Decision: English version – German version
17/03/2015: Trans Adriatic Pipeline Prolongation decision– C(2015) 1852
Decision: English version
17/09/2013: SK-HU Interconnector – HU – C(2013) 6159
Decision: English version – Hungarian version
16/05/2013: Nabucco – AT – C(2013) 2947; Prolongation
Decision: English version
16/05/2013: Trans Adriatic Pipeline – C(2013) 2949
Decision: English version
1/12/2011: Gazelle II (CZ/DE) – C(2011) 8777
Decision: English version – Czech version
20/05/2011: Gazelle (CZ/DE) – C (2011) 3424
Decision: English version – Czech version
12/6/2009: OPAL (DE/CZ) – C (2009) 4694
Decision: German version
20/04/2009: Nabucco – HU – C (2009) 3034; SG Greffe D(2009) 2298
Decision: Hungarian version
20/04/2009: Nabucco– BG – C (2009) 3037; SG Greffe D(2009) 2299
Decision: English version – Bulgarian version
23/06/2009: Nabucco – RO – C (2009) 5135; SG Greffe D(2009)3563
Decision: English version – Romanian version
22/10/2008: Nabucco – AT – C (2008) 6254; CAB D(2008) 1094
Decision: English version – German version
8/2/2008: Nabucco – AT – CAB D(2008) 142
Decision: English version – German version
22/5/2007: Poseidon (HE/IT) – SG-GreffeD(2007) 203046
Decision: English version – Italian version
12/07/2005: BBL (UK/NL) – CAB D(2005) 674
Decision: English version
LNG terminals
29/10/2024: exemption of Deutsche Grüngas LNG Terminal in Wilhelmshaven-DE C(2024)7717
Decision: German version - English version
22/01/2024: Hanseatic Energy Hub GmbH LNG Terminal (DE) prolongation - C(2024) 458
Decision: German version - English version
17/07/2023: Gate LNG Terminal B.V (NL) - C(2023) 4906
Decision: English Version
02/06/2023: German LNG Terminal (DE) – C(2023) 3743
Decision: German version – English version
31/03/2023: TotalEnergies LNG Terminal in Le Havre (FR) – C (2023) 2368
Decision: English version
20/12/2022: Deutsche ReGas GmbH & Co. KGaA LNG Terminal (DE) – C(2022) 9902
Decision: German version – English version
19/08/2022: Hanseatic Energy Hub GmbH LNG Terminal (DE) – C(2022) 6098
Decision: German version – English version
11/08/2022: LNG EemEnergy Terminal B.V. (NL) – C (2022) 5947
Decision: English version
28/06/2022: LNG Dunkerque (FR) – C (2022) 4501
Decision : French version
25/05/2021: German LNG Terminal (DE) – C(2021) 3814
Decision: German version – English version
08/12/2020: LNG South Hook (UK) – C(2020) 8948
Decision: English version
25/11/2020: LNG Alexandroupolis (GR) – C(2020) 8377
Decision: Greek version – English version
06/01/2015: LNG Toscana (Livorno) (IT) – C(2015) 72
Decision: Italian version – English version
04/06/2013: National Grid Grain LNG (UK) – C(2013) 3443 }
Decision: English version
07/05/2012: LNG Porto Empedocle (IT) – C (2012) 3123
Decision: English version – Italian version
20/1/2010: LNG Dunkerque (FR) – C (2010) 381
Decision : French version
26/07/2010: LNG Shannon (IE) – C (2010) 5300
Decision: English version
11/12/2009: LNG Livorno (IT) – C (2009) 10172
Decision: Italian version – English version
15/5/2009: LNG Eemshaven (NL) – C (2009) 4006
Decision: Dutch version – English version
18/10/2007: LionGas (NL) – TREN D(2007) 324685
Decision: English version
26/03/2007: Gate Terminal (NL) – TREN D(2007) 306919
Decision: English version
13/09/2005: LNG Brindisi (IT) – TREN D(2005)119076
Decision: Italian version
29/3/2005: Dragon (UK) – TREN D(2005) 105942
Decision: English version
10/02/2005: Rovigo (IT) – TREN D(2005)101791
Decision: Italian version
10/02/2005: South Hook (UK) – TREN D(2005)101791
Decision: English version
10/02/2005: LNG Grain (UK) – TREN D(2005)101791
Decision: English verson
Gas storage facilities
27/06/2011: Damborice(CZ) – C (2011) 4509
Decision: English version – Czech version
Derogation decisions
Pending applications of national derogation requests (article 64 Regulation (EU) 2019/943, article 66 Directive (EU) 2019/944)
Derogation request (English version) from the common rules for the internal market in electricity for non-interconnected areas in Cyprius. Comments possible until 15 November 2024, 24.00 (CEST);
Derogation request (French version) from the common rules for the internal market in electricity for non-interconnected areas in France. Comments possible until 30 July 2024, 24.00 (CEST);
Derogation request (English version – Spanish version) for Spain’s non-mainland territories (Canary Islands, the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla) - notified by Spain. Comments possible until 30 April 2021, 24.00 (CEST);
Derogation decisions - Electricity (article 64 Regulation (EU) 2019/943, article 66 Directive (EU) 2019/944)
- Derogation decision on requirements regarding CO2 emission limits for capacity mechanisms (Article 64(2b) of Regulation (EU) 2019/943, as amended by Regulation (EU) 2024/1747)
- 11 August 2025: Poland - C(2025)5575
- Derogation decisions for small systems (Article 64 Regulation (EU) 2019/943, Article 66 Directive (EU) 2019/944)
- 4 May 2026: Portuguese Island (Berlenga) - C(2026)2789
- 16 May 2025: Spain (Melilla) - C(2025)3175
- 16 May 2025: Spain (Balearic Islands) - C(2025)3174
- 29 April 2024: Greek Islands (Crete) prolongation – C(2024)2890
- 8 December 2023: Spain, Canary Islands – C(2023)8638
- 21 February 2022: Greek Islands (Crete) – C(2022)1140
- 11 November 2020: Kriegers Flak – C(2020)7948
Decision: English version – German version – Danish version (all EU languages are available here - 14 August 2014: Greek Islands (Crete)
- 28 November 2006: Malta
- 25 September 2006: Cyprus
- 23 May 2006: Madeira
- 20 December 2004: Azores
Related links
- Decision on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks (2010/685/EU)
- Regulation on Conditions for Access to the Natural Gas Transmission Networks (715/2009/EC)
- Regulation on Conditions for Access to the Network for Cross-Border Exchanges in Electricity (714/2009/EC)
- Common Rules for the Internal Market in Natural Gas Directive (2009/73/EC)
- Common Rules for the Internal Market in Electricity Directive (2009/72/EC)