ENTSOG GRIP South - Main Report

2,500 GWh/d

1,500 GWh/d

injection

withdrawal

2,000

1,200

900

1,500

600

1,000

300

500

0

0

March 2009

March 2010

March 2011

March 2012

March 2013

March 2014

March 2010

March 2011

March 2012

March 2013

March 2014

NordB

Nord-Atlantique

Nord-Est

NordB

Nord-Atlantique

Nord-Est

Nord-Ouest Nord-Atlantique interruptible

Nord-Ouest

Sud-Atlantique

Sud-Est

Sud-Atlantique

Sud-Est

Sud-Atlantique interruptible

Figure 6.4: Evolution of the storage subscriptions in France

Use of theUGS in France: Last historical trend As it ismentionedbefore, theavailability of gas in theUGScouldhaveahigh impact in the SouthRegionRemaining Flexibility. In order to provide a clear picture of the current situation, we have developed specific analysis focus on the last historical trend in the use of UGS in France. Storagecapacitiesaremarketedevery year by storageoperators. Thecorresponding injection and withdrawal capacity on the transmission network is allocated auto­ matically on the basis of the result of the allocation of storage capacity. In 2013, a sharp dropwas recorded in the subscriptions. This situationwas worry- ing because it limited the availability of these sources in particular in case of cold winter. For example in France, they only reached 45% inMay 2013 as opposed to 83% inMay 2011, as operators seem to have chosen other modulation sources, such as spot markets: winter/summer spreads dropped and therefore competed with storage facilities. Additional capacities were later subscribed. At the beginning of the winter 2012–2013, the cumulative stocks in Storengy and TIGFUGSs were inferior to the previous years. This is associated with the fact that bookings showed a lower trend that was confirmed inApril 2013, anddue to a high level of withdrawal in the first half of 2012 as a consequence of lower temperatures than average during thesemonths. As a result, shippers operatedmore and longer withdrawals, thus delaying the injection process. Driven by the rise in consumption of the residential sectors and of the combined cycle power plants during the cold weather peak, thequantitieswithdrawn increasedby38%, inpart tooffset thedrop in LNG deliveries.

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ENTSOG–GRIPSouth 2013–2022