Certification of Gas Storage Operators

On January 24, the National Commission for State Regulation of Energy and Public Utilities (NERC) approved the "Procedure for Certification of Gas Storage Operators." From now on, the certification process for Ukrtransgaz will have an officially approved sequence of actions by the national regulator.

It is worth noting that the successful completion of the certification process will allow Ukrtransgaz, for the first time, to store not only gas from private foreign companies in Ukrainian gas storage facilities but also strategic gas reserves from EU member countries.

So, what will the certification procedure for the Gas Storage Operator of Ukraine look like?

The first step in the certification of Ukrtransgaz as a gas storage operator, in accordance with EU regulations, will be to submit a corresponding request for the procedure to the Regulator.

Subsequently, NERC may request additional information from the gas storage operator, its shareholders, state authorities, or other participants in the procedure regarding the certification requirements.

Within 60 days of receiving the request and all necessary documents, NERC will make a preliminary decision on the certification of Ukrtransgaz, and within the next five days, will notify the Secretariat of the Energy Community about the decision.

At this stage, Ukraine’s European partners will be involved. Within 25 days of receiving the preliminary decision from NERC, the Secretariat of the Energy Community will provide its opinion.

The publication of the final decision by the Ukrainian regulator regarding the certification of Ukrtransgaz according to European norms will be possible within the next month after receiving the opinion from the Secretariat of the Energy Community.

Once again, we thank all participants in this process for their efficiency, professionalism, and quick approach to implementing this strategic project for Ukraine: from the registration and passage of the relevant draft law in Parliament to the adoption of today's resolution by NERC. And, of course, we are preparing to begin the actual certification process for Ukrtransgaz.