Gas infrastructure companies Gasunie (the Netherlands) and Fluxys (Belgium) are exploring the possibilities for cross-border cooperation.
The CEOs of both companies, Walter Peeraer (Fluxys) and Paul van Gelder (Gasunie), have signed a joint declaration of intent to that effect today. This took place near Zelzate on the Belgian-Dutch border, on board the Jacob van Artevelde, a boat from the Port Authority of Ghent.
The companies are primarily investigating the development of cross-border services. This approach aims to stimulate the free movement of natural gas and to improve gas market operations, two central objectives of European energy policy.
Cooperation between the two gas infrastructure companies will provide a good opportunity for both countries to strengthen their current favourable positions in the globalising energy market and to take advantage of changes to gas flows. In order to meet declining European production with supplies from other sources, investments in new infrastructure are necessary in areas such as North West Europe to keep security of supply and market operations at suitable levels.
Natural gas will continue to fulfil a crucial role in the European energy mix over the coming decades. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel (it produces 50% less CO2 and hardly any fine dust compared to coal), while natural gas technology can provide significant advantages in areas of energy efficiency. For these reasons natural gas is the ‘trump card’ of electricity production, domestic heating and fuel for vehicles. Moreover, natural gas power stations can be used flexibly for electricity production, meaning that fluctuating supplies of solar and wind energy can be effectively cushioned. The way in which it benefits the environment and underpins renewable sources gives natural gas an essential role in a sustainable and affordable energy supply.
[mappress]
Source: Fluxys, April 11, 2011;