NTS transmission capacity

Below we provide information on the rules for determining the available transmission capacity in entry and exit zones of the transmission system.

• Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks (hereinafter EU Regulation)
• Regulation of the Minister of Economy of 2 July 2010 concerning detailed conditions of gas system operation (PL)
• Transmission Network Code (TNC)

General principles:
Determination of technical capacity is performed on the basis of a mathematical model and mapping of the transmission network with the use of hydraulic calculation tools - SIMONE. Calculations are performed using manufacturer defined algorithms.

In analyses, loads on particular points are considered on the basis of concluded Transmission Contracts (hereinafter referred to as the TC), the executed Capacity Allocation/Transmission Ability Allocation (PP/PZ), the Inter-operator Transmission Contracts (hereinafter referred to as the ITC), the executed Capacity Allocation (PP), the approved capacity allocation forecasts and the concluded Connection Agreements provided that the date of conclusion of the contract, based on which gas delivery was to take place, has not expired. In the hydraulic analyses, for the assumed network load, the Transmission System Operator (hereinafter TSO) analyses the system operation taking into account the integrity and operational requirements of the transmission network. In this way, taking into account the capacity at entry points, the available operational parameters of the compressor stations and the transmission system, the TSO determines the capacity that can be offered on a firm basis at individual exit points under the minimum pressure condition defined for a given exit point.

1. Technical capacity means the maximum firm capacity that the TSO can offer to network users, taking into account the integrity and operational requirements of the transmission network.
   1. The technical capacity at individual physical exit points or at individual physical entry points belonging to a given relevant point may not be equal to the technical capacity of a given point.
   2. A change in the contracted quantities at one of the relevant points may affect the technical capacity of the other relevant points.
   3. In accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Energy, in the event of a change to the existing conditions or technical parameters of operation of the installation's or network's equipment, for an applicant classified in Group A and B, Subgroup II, it is necessary to determine the entry point to the system at which gas will be delivered for transmission. The technical capacity (or available capacity) can be verified after defining the entry point to the system.
2. Contracted capacity means the capacity that the TSO has allocated to the network user under the transmission contract and the PP/PZ and PZ. As defined (715/2009 Article 2, point 19) the allocated (i.e. contracted) capacity does not include signed connection agreements.
3. Available capacity means the portion of technical capacity that has not been allocated and is still available within the system at any given time. The available capacity at individual physical exit points or at individual physical entry points belonging to a given relevant point, is limited by the parameters of the station's technology and metering system. The local limitations of the line elements (limited diameters of connector gas pipelines) must also be taken into account. The available capacity at individual physical exit points or at individual physical entry points belonging to a given relevant point may not be equal to the available capacity of the relevant point.